4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026 - Healing Division through Humility

 

For the first six sundays of ordinary time this year, our second readings are taken from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

Throughout his letters, St. Paul gives us a glimpse into those early Christian communities: the Philippians, the Galatians, the Ephesians, the Thessalonians, the Corinthians. Like our own, each of those communities had its own history, its unique and diverse gifts and particular challenges.

Paul praised the Philippians for instance, for their generous support of the poor, and for their commitment to working together. The Philippians took seriously the need for Christians to cooperate in the spread of the Gospel. Yet they were not without challenges. Paul had to address disunity and rivalry among them.

The Galatians too had their gifts. Paul describes the tremendous outpouring of the holy Spirit in Galatia; miracles, even, were evident there. Yet Paul had to address how members of the Galatian church were being swayed by a "different gospel," as he called it. Some members were insisting that gentiles had to be circumcised if they were to be saved. And where does Jesus teach that? He doesn’t. So, Paul had to correct their sacramental theology: that it is baptism, not circumcision which unites us to Christ, our Savior.

So, too, the Ephesians. Paul praised their strong faith in Christ and their love for the saints. He thanked God for the profound spiritual blessings evident among them. Yet, the Ephesians, too, had challenges. Paul detected some willful ignorance in them, hardness of heart, callousness, licentiousness and impurity. And so he challenged them to grow in Christian maturity—to get serious about casting off their old way of life and to put on the new way of Christ.

And then there were the Corinthians! Oh, the Corinthians. 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 Christian community.

Paul extolled their knowledge, their eloquence in speech, and the diversity of their spiritual gifts. Yet,  just because they knew the faith and were eloquent in explaining it, didn’t mean they were living it. There were divisions and quarrels among them. The Corinthians had allowed the sexual immorality of the pagan culture take root in their community. They had disagreements about Christian marriage and food offered to idols. They also had arguments about theology.  They had issues with disorder in worship. Their church politics was causing division. All of these divisions, theological, earthly, and moral were threatening their mission and their souls.

This is why Paul began his letter, as we heard last week, urging the Corinthians to strive for Church unity—unity in faith, behavior, and worship. Why? Because division hinders the mission. It makes it hard to prove that Jesus is the Way of peace and reconciliation and holiness, if our divisions are disrupting that peace. So Paul urges the Corinthians to make every effort to strive for unity among them.

That concern for unity is exactly why Paul turns, in today’s passage, in our second reading, to the teaching on humility.

“Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.” Our calling to what? To be first and foremost, witnesses of the Gospel. And it’s not because we were rich, powerful, and wise that God chose us, but because we are foolish, weak, and sinful, in other words, we were in need of saving. No amount of earthly riches and worldly knowledge or wisdom could get us to heaven. We can’t get to heaven on our own. We can’t find peace and joy and fulfillment on our own. We need God. We need Jesus Christ. And the Christian is first and foremost a soul who humbly admits he needs God.

That brings us directly to the Beatitudes. In the Gospel today, we hear the beginning of the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, this series of short but powerful teachings, known as the beatitudes: teachings about the dispositions, attitudes, decisions Christians are to practice if we are going to live a blessed life on earth that leads to eternal blessedness in heaven.

The Lord begins his Sermon, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” It is not arbitrary that Jesus teaches this beatitude first. For it is not one Beatitude among many. It is the fundamental beatitude that is necessary to obtain the others—It is doorway to all the rest, and instruction that every Christian is to adopt at a fundamental level.

When the Lord says “blessed are the poor”, he’s not saying that poverty is holy. He’s not saying that all poor people are holy, and by virtue of their poverty, they are automatically going to heaven. He’s not saying that all Christians need to be materially poor.

What’s he saying. Fundamentally, essentially, To be poor in spirit is to recognize our need for God—not occasionally, not in emergencies, but always. It is the recognition that we cannot save, justify sanctify, or redeem ourselves. It’s to acknowledge that we are not only incomplete without God, we’re incomplete if God is not the absolute center and primary force of our lives, of every decision and relationship.

If poverty of spirit is not our fundamental disposition, and God is not the absolute center of our lives, then something else is. Something unholy. Pride. Pride, the deadliest of sins because it claims, I’m not poor in spirit, I can get to heaven on my own, I can be fulfilled without God.

Pride, is believing the same lie that the enemy told Adam and Eve in the Garden, you don’t need God, you don’t need to obey, you don’t need to give your heart to Him. You can make it on your own, you’ll be happier without Him.

Pride. It hinders advancement in the spiritual life because it makes God secondary to our own egos. It stalls conversion, halts repentance, obstructs spiritual growth, impedes the mission of the Gospel. It keeps us from the life-giving waters and mercy of Christ, the spiritual fire of the Holy Spirit, and the loving embrace of the Father.

But blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. To be poor in spirit means to open wide the doors of ones mind, soul, and heart to God.

This is why St. Paul stresses humility—poverty in spirit—as the remedy for the division and immorality in Corinth. Because as each member of the Church seeks God with their whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, they are brought in deeper union with God and with one another.

Each of us does well to ask the Holy Spirit to helps us identify how we are called to better strive for and live out that first beatitude. What does it mean to be poor in spirit in my understanding of Catholic doctrine? What does it mean to be poor in spirit in my approach to and celebration of the Sacraments? What does it mean to be poor in spirit in my moral life—in my obedience to the commandments, the call to charity and the cultivation of the virtues? What does it mean to be poor in spirit, to throw open the doors of my heart in prayer?

May the Holy Spirit help each of us to identify who we can take more seriously this first beatitude, to grow in surrender and trust and obedience to God, who heals the wounds of sin and division for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

23rd Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Marriage, Celibacy, and Sept 11

 After spending a third of his letter addressing abuses and divisions within the Corinthian community, St. Paul turns to questions from the community or other areas of concern which had been reported to him.

Today’s passage is from a section dealing with Marriage and Virginity. It appears that there was considerable confusion about these topics. On one extreme, you had members of the community who were still abiding by the perverted sexual norms of the surrounding culture—Paul addressed these sins in the first part of his letter. On the other extreme, you had members of the community who were claiming that since Christ was coming soon, everyone needed to remain celibate and married people needed to practice total abstinence. 

While St. Paul recommends that those with the charism for perpetual virginity and celibacy should undividedly devote themselves entirely to the Lord, St. Paul also calls Christian marriage good. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul well develop the theology and sacramentality further teaching that sacramental Christian marriage is a sign, reminder, and expression of Christ’s union with the Church.

Paul’s approach of calling both celibacy and marriage good illustrates the beautiful unity-in-diversity of the Church. Celibacy, consecrated virginity and marriage can point to Christ. All Christians no matter their state are called to holiness.

The Lord’s teaching in the Gospel today, aren’t simply meant for priests and nuns, but for all Christians of all places of all times. All are to practice the beatitudes by cultivating poverty of spirit, mournfulness for sin, perseverance during trial, detachment from worldly riches, fame, and earthly pleasure. 

23 years ago today, our nation suffered a horrific terrorist attack resulting in the death nearly 3000 people. In the aftermath, Congress passed a bill requesting that the President designate September 11 as Patriot Day. 

Today, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff at the White House and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments throughout the world; flags are also encouraged to be displayed on individual American homes. Additionally, a moment of silence is observed to correspond with the attacks, beginning at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

In a world full of such tremendous moral ugliness and disregard for human life, the task of the Christian is the same as it has been in every age, to cultivate holiness of soul that points others to Christ, to preach Christ and him crucified, for He is our only salvation and hope, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That through Our Lady, Queen of Peace, terrorism and war, and the cheapening of human life may be brought to an end.

That our civil representatives may use their authority to lead and build our nation in godly ways.

For all those who harden their hearts toward God, for those who have left the Church, for all those in serious sin, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families. 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

23rd Week of Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - Dealing with divisions gracefully

 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.

22nd Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Overcoming Spiritual Immaturity

Throughout First Corinthians Paul addresses division.  Immediately after the letter’s greeting in chapter 1, Paul urges the Corinthians to be free of division that they may be united in the same mind and the same purpose—living according to the wisdom of Christ crucified. And this requires real spiritual maturity.

But then in this morning’s passage, Paul explains how the Corinthian church remained frozen in this state of immaturity which was evident due to their may divisions, and he compares them to infants incapable of eating solid food due to their failure to put division and factionalism behind them. 

In chapter 3 here, Paul is addressing a division based on what appears to be different schools of theological thought. The Corinthians apparently claimed that there was some fundamental division between Paul, Peter, and this good and faithful teacher named Apollos. And so they were breaking into factions. And these factions made it look like the Church itself was a fractured worldly institution. And to an outsider, why would you want to join just another fractured worldly institution?

Christian division not only keeps us from working together and loving one another, it is bad for the mission. And if we are not fulfilling our mission, then we are being unfaithful to Christ. 

Now there are some modern Christians who are willfully engaging in this sort of factionalism. And it’s to the detriment of the mission. 

But Paul’s words today are a challenge to all Christians of all times to address their own spiritual immaturity. It might not be willful factionalism. But essentially, we must all address that spiritual immaturity which is marked by selfish and prideful behaviors, a shallow understanding of the faith, a weak commitment to the mission of the church, and an avoidance of the cross. 

 Maturity, in contrast, involves an openness to spiritual growth, no matter the effort it demands, perseverance in faith, unity, love, humility, and the virtues. Christian maturity is primarily about becoming more like Christ—who embraces the cross in the desire to please and serve His heavenly Father above all else. 

Paul’s concern for the Corinthians wasn’t simply to belittle them, but to help strengthen them in the faith. For if they could not get passed these infantile quarrels, how could they bear the cross when it was time to truly witness to the faith in the face of trial? Until they put away the infantile, they would not bear the fruit of the Spirit—the love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control born from the Holy Spirit.

We do well to spend some real honest time considering our own spiritual immaturities, asking the Holy Spirit to help us confront them, so that we, like St. Paul and the saints, may be sources of unity in the Church, and effective instruments for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that all her members may strive to live in unity of mind and purpose, rejecting division and factionalism, so that we may faithfully witness to the love of Christ. 

For our leaders, both in the Church and in society, that they may be guided by the wisdom of Christ and work for the common good, promoting peace, justice, and unity among all people. 

For our parish, that we may seek to put aside any selfish or prideful behaviors that cause division, and work together in love to fulfill the mission of Christ, especially in service to the poor and marginalized. 

For all those who are suffering, especially those burdened by violence and conflict or illness, that they may experience the healing presence of Christ and find peace in His love and unity in His Church. 

For the faithful departed, that they may be welcomed into the eternal peace of Christ and share in the fullness of His resurrection.

Presider: Gracious Father, hear these prayers that we offer with faith and humility. Grant us the grace to grow in spiritual maturity, united in love and service, that we may bear witness to Your kingdom and glorify Your name. Through Christ our Lord.