In today’s first reading Paul gives himself as an example as one who has given up his “freedom” and his “rights” for the sake of the Gospel: “Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.” Paul is responding to a concrete pastoral question the Corinthians have posed to Paul: “Now in regard to meat sacrificed to idols…” (1 Corinthians 1:1). The Corinthians are asking if they can attend banquets where there is the strong possibility that meat sacrificed in the pagan temples will be served. Some Corinthian Christians are claiming that since they “know” that idols do not exist they have the “freedom” and the “right” to attend these banquets and partake of meat that has been sacrificed to idols. While Paul does not disagree, he reminds them that “knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.”
In today’s reading Paul shows that a loving response may require them to forsake their freedom and their rights to build us the body, the church. Paul’s teaching also applies to us today although the pastoral issues may be different. While we value our freedom and our rights, Paul tells us that it is love that builds up. So, at times we too may be called upon to give up our freedom and our rights out of love for the common good. This teaching has been made very concrete these last couple of years as we faced the Covid pandemic and the question of vaccination. While we have the freedom and the right to refuse the vaccination, love and the common good calls us to get the vaccination if we are medically able. This is the Scriptural basis for Pope Francis’ words when he called getting vaccinated an “act of love…Love for oneself, love for our families and friends, and love for all peoples. Love is also social and political.”
_________________________________________________________________________
Image: “Freedom” by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free.org.