Breaking Open the Word - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – January 26th, 2020
Our Scripture sharing this week really focused in on the Second Reading, the great call of St. Paul for unity among the Corinthians to whom he is writing. Though composed nearly two thousand years ago, this passage applies profoundly to our situation today, and in our discussion we explored how we in the 21st century can live out St. Paul’s advice.
A Sister opened with an observation about the specific kind of division she saw reflected in the text. It is not so much conflict between different “denominations” as conflict within the one Church. All are professing the same Faith, but they are allowing their love for particular leaders to divide them into cliques: “I belong to Paul!” “I belong to Apollos!” Intra-community division can be a subtle temptation for Catholics of any time, and it is so insidious precisely because it does not seem as obviously destructive as outright schism. However, it can be equally dangerous if not combated by practicing active charity for all our fellow members in the Body of Christ. By keeping our eyes on Christ above all, we are able to grow in true unity, seeing the good in the other and seeking the good of the other. As the hymn “Lord, Who at Thy First Eucharist” puts it, “Draw us the nearer each to each, we plead/ By drawing all to Thee, O Prince of Peace!”
Another Sister reflected that this passage from 1 Corinthians really highlights the difference between the “mind of the world” which prevails in the public square and the “mind of Christ” which we are called to adopt. The “mind of the world” is totally based on competition, division, and asserting superiority at the expense of others. When applied to matters of Christ and His Church, this mindset causes the kind of division that St. Paul is decrying – we feel forced to “take sides” rather than to seek reconciliation. The cure for this erroneous thinking is, of course, to “put on the mind of Christ” – selflessness, unity, and humility. Rather than isolated individuals competing for space, we are all members of a single Body, and each member is as necessary as it is unique. The ultimate model for this balance of unity and diversity is found in the Trinity Itself. Three distinct Persons, yet only one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist interdependently and for Each Other. It is our incredible vocation as Christians to share in this eternal, ecstatic self-giving – and the sooner we start “practicing,” the easier will be the transition to Heaven at the end of our earthly lives!
Finally, as Passionists we discussed how the ultimate source of this unity we are all seeking is nothing else than the Cross. The Cross means self-sacrifice, laying down one’s life out of love for the other. It is only this self-gift that can forge true unity, and through Christ’s own Sacrifice we are strengthened to offer ourselves with the same love. When we lay aside “worldly wisdom” and cling to the “folly of the Cross,” then we truly grow as the strong and united Body of Christ.
We’re happy to have you with us as we continue to share our insights on the Sunday Mass Readings – join us next time as we continue through Year A in the Lectionary!