THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR A
Isaiah 8:23-9:3; Psalm 27;
1 Corinthians 1:10:13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23
THERE SHOULD BE NO RIVALRIES AMONG YOU
During his second missionary journey, Paul spent about 18 months in the city of Corinth, evangelizing and establishing a community there. This letter is in response to a report he received about some problems in the community. He wrote to address those issues.
One of the problems of this community, and the subject of our second reading for today is the problem of division in this Christian community.
Even though he had identified himself as an apostle at the beginning of the letter to show his authority, in dealing with the problems in the community he rather pleads with them as his brothers and sisters. This points to the fact that not everything is solved by using or exploiting one’s power and authority. Sometimes it is important to just be fellow human beings and Christians searching for the love, truth and unity in the body of Christ.
Paul appealed to them in “the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” by whose authority the community is founded. Jesus alone is the head of the church and he is the source and guarantee for the unity of the church. By invoking the name of Jesus, Paul recognizes that Jesus is still present in the community in a real way.
Paul then indicated three ways in which they can live in the unity that befits them as the body of Christ.
First of all, they must be in agreement with what they say. This is a call to unity in doctrine. They cannot claim to be the body of Christ and be divided in the doctrine they preach. Principally for the church, Jesus is the Son of God who was sent to save us from the bondage of sin and transferred into the light and freedom of God’s kingdom. The creed is the summary of the faith and doctrine of the church. We are all called to know it, believe it and practice it. There may be differences in the way we propagate the message but there can never be disparity in the truth of the faith. Any kind of opposition to the faith we have received, is a sign of division which the church must watch against.
Secondly, he admonished them not to tolerate divisions among them and to avoid rivalries. The Greek word used for “division” is “schemata” from which we derive the word schism which means to “tear or rend”. This was a plea to not tear up the unity of the church along personality lines. The Christians in this community were seemingly divided along the lines of those who helped them in the faith; namely, Paul, Cephas and Apollos . Most of the divisions we see even in churches today, are a result of factions which are built around certain personalities.
Paul corrects this and points to Jesus as the rallying point of Christian unity. No one person by his eloquence, intelligence or gift (charism) is great than the church in unity around Jesus her Lord. We are all in the church together because of Christ. A united church is the greatest charism or spiritual gift the church can present to the world. All of us must take a fundamental stand against division in the church. It is only in this way that we can fight against issues that bring division. There will only be division when church members are open to it.
Thirdly, they must be one in mind and purpose. The book of proverbs teaches the relationship between thought and action; “as he thinks in his heart so is he” (Prov. 23:7). It is a call to have thoughts of unity and oneness. Here, Paul calls on the community to do away with rivalries among them. They should not see among themselves a competition.
In this way, Paul speaks to the church today. Sadly, there seems to be unhealthy competition among churches today and even within the various churches, there are personality cults. Church leaders gather their followers around themselves rather than forming out of the people disciples of Jesus.
A church divided along the lines of leaders will tear apart to the ridicule of the world. We must all be transformed by the renewal of our minds (Rom 12:2). When we are united in this way we can with one purpose preach the gospel of Jesus to the world.
Let us stand for the unity of our churches and stand against any form of division, whether it be in the form of race, tribe, social status or personality cults.
God bless you.
Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
