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.
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