Thanks to St. Paul’s extensive correspondence with the Corinthians, we are better informed about the church at Corinth than probably any other first-century church. In 1 Corinthians in particular, Paul treats a wide range of issues affecting the community of believers, including disunity, food offered to idols, sexual sin, and class divisions at the communal celebration of the Eucharist.
This morning, we read how the Corinthian Christians were not only quarrelling among themselves, but they were also turning to the secular courts to resolve their problems. And this was problematic for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Corinthian court system had a widespread reputation of corrupt judges given to bribery, and the Christians coming to court were availing themselves to this system of corruption. Secondly, the Corinthians were failing to follow the Lord’s direct teaching on this matter. If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately, if that doesn’t work, bring other a few fellow Christians to help mediate. If that doesn’t work, bring it to Church authorities.
So, Saint Paul urges the Corinthians to deal with their problems internally, making use of the gifts of wisdom and justice within the Church. Instead of turning to the corrupt institutions of the world to solve our problems we are to learn to rely on God.
Now, Christians, are not expected to be totally free from disputes and disagreements; life is complicated, after all—men of good will can disagree about reasonable things.
But we are to guard against our disagreements becoming ugly and infected with worldly malice. Rather, even the way we deal with disagreements is to be done gracefully, patiently, charitably. The world should be able to point to the Church and say, “See how they love one another, look how they forgive each other, look how they are patient with one another.”
Jesus came to unite a humanity divided by sin—he came to reconcile us to God and to one another and heal the wounds of sin and division. The new family of God’s children, the Church, is to live in unity and peace. And, it’s no coincidence that our Gospel this morning is the calling of the twelve apostles. The apostolic teaching, the authority of the bishops, is to be a source of unity for us. Unholy disunity and division occurs when we stray from the Apostolic Faith.
But when strive to fulfill our vocation to unity, adhering to the faith, practicing patience, charity, and mercy, we become beacons of eternal salvation.
With the help of God’s grace, may we work for unity today, healing the wounds of sin and division among us, pointing out to all who dwell in the darkness of sin and unbelief to the light of Christ, our salvation, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For the Church, that we may always strive for unity and resolve our conflicts with wisdom, patience, and love, reflecting Christ's reconciling work in the world. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our Pope, bishops, and all Church leaders, that they may guide us in the apostolic faith and be instruments of unity within the Body of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our parish community, that we may grow in our ability to forgive one another, to show mercy, and to seek reconciliation when conflicts arise. Let us pray to the Lord.
For those in the legal profession, that they may work for true justice and be guided by moral integrity in their practice. Let us pray to the Lord.
For all Christians experiencing division or discord, that they may find peaceful resolutions through prayer, dialogue, and adherence to Christ's teachings. Let us pray to the Lord.
That the sick and the suffering may know the strength and consolation of the Holy Spirit in their afflictions. Let us pray to the Lord.
For those who have died, especially members of our parish community, that they may be united with Christ in the eternal peace of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.
Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrimage Church, grant us what we truly need to remain faithful to your Son in all things. Through Christ Our Lord.
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