We are all aware of the divisions in our modern society. There are divisions and polarization not only in the political but also in the religious sphere. Perhaps surprisingly this is nothing new. We hear in today’s first reading that Paul must deal with divisions in the Corinthian Christian community. There is jealousy and rivalry among different groups within the community and each has their own slogan:
“For it has been reported to me about you…that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, ‘I belong to Paul,’ or ‘I belong to Apollos,’ or ‘I belong to Cephas,’ or ‘I belong to Christ.’” (1 Corinthians 1:11-12)
Paul is astounded and asks the simple but direct question: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1:13). In today’s reading Paul continues his discussion of these divisions. The root cause of these divisions is that they are judging by human standards: “While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving in an ordinary human way?” (3:3). The only slogan or confession they should have is “I belong to Christ.” All the others Paul, Apollos, Cephas are just ministers who planted and watered but “God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything but only God, who causes the growth.”
All Christians, Paul declares, are “God’s field, God’s building.” God has planted his Word of love and mercy in the hearts of each one of us. God is the one who gives it growth. As James says in his letter: “humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only…” (James 1:21-22). So, our identity comes from God not from a particular preacher or minister. Paul tells us that we are not only God’s field but also God’s building or God’s Temple. God dwells within each one of us. Jesus is Emmanuel: God who is with us. We hear the same promise in the words of the Eucharistic Prayer at mass: “God who loves the human race and who always walks with us on the journey of life.” (Eucharistic Prayer IV for Various Needs).
Image: “Saint Paul” by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.