FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
3 FEBRUARY 2019
Those
who attend Catholic weddings will recognize the passage from Saint Paul to the
Corinthians. Even though this reading is
not required, most couples choose this reading, because they sense that their
emotional love must deepen if their marriage is to last.
While it is
true that Paul’s words surely speak to a couple living a healthy marriage, he
wrote these words to the Church in Corinth that was being torn apart by
divisions. At his prompting, many had
recognized the gifts or charisms given to them by the Holy Spirit. Some were speaking in tongues, while others
enjoyed incredible knowledge or prophecy.
Others were known for their work for the poor. Because the different groups had been arguing
about whose gift was more important, Paul puts his foot down. He acknowledges that each of these gifts is
very important. But he insists that
these gifts must be used with love. He
does not use the Greek word “eros” (the root for our English word “erotic”). That type of love implies a possessive desire
that seeks its own good. Instead, he
uses the Greek word “agape,” which implies charity and compassion and is
outward oriented. He points out that all
the gifts given by the Holy Spirit will pass away when people die. But love will never die, because God is
love. Those who learn to love will be
identified with God, even after death.
Like the
Church in Corinth many centuries ago, our members at Saint Pius have also been
given many gifts. We have parishioners
who have advanced degrees in theology and the other sciences. Others are talented musicians or gifted
teachers. Many have the gift of
organization and leadership. Others have
mechanical abilities and can offer practical solutions. Others have a keen sense of serving the needs
of the poor and those who live in the margins.
And the list goes on. Saint Paul
reminds us today to thank God for these gifts.
But he also reminds us that we cannot argue about which gifts are more
important. Instead, he reminds us that
we need to place our gifts at the service of the community, and that we need to
give them with love.
During
these last two weekends, both women and men have received the gift of a parish
retreat through Christ Renews His Parish. Those of you who have received this gift and have
been able to give it to another group know the power of this retreat. You know that your relationship with Christ
has been renewed. You know that you have
been connected with a small group of people in a very large parish. But you also know that this retreat works only
when you have cooperated with the Holy Spirit, recognized your gift, and
connected it with the needs of the parish.
That outward movement, the movement of love, has indeed renewed our
parish in many significant ways. Those
of you who are married understand the same dynamic. Deacon Lou’s Marriage in Christ Seminar emphasizes the dynamic of agape love,
and those of you who have gone through that seminar understand it. When we have the courage to put our gifts in
the service of communion, whether that involves the communion of married life
or the communion of parish life, then Christ can use us to increase his divine
love.
It takes a
great deal of courage to live this love.
When Jesus sits down in the synagogue in his home town and announces
that he has fulfilled the promises made by Isaiah, the hometown crowd is
initially pleased. Their humble village
can now boast of a famous figure accomplishing mighty works. But then, he tells them that his mission is
to take Isiah’s words beyond their own tribe and identity. They become so angry that they try to throw
him off the cliff. As his mission continues,
his disciples will learn that he is the Son of God, not the son of Joseph. They will be horrified by his death and
thrilled with his resurrection. They
will understand that his sacrificial love will bring light to a darkened
world. We are called to live this same
love.
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