31 May 2005

This week we move into chapter three of 1 Corinthians.

And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? (1 Cor. 3:1-3)

So Paul has been writing about how foolish the wisdom of God seems to be to those who are "unspiritual." As he now moves to write about what appears to be some divisions among the Corinthians, he backs up to acknowledge just how difficult it can be to take hold of this rich food called the gospel. The grace of God is something we often only can handle in story form - something that doesn't seem all that real - something that is off "over there" in another place or time. But we are invited to share in the life that comes with the Good News. We are invited to take this love of God in Christ, Jesus, and let it be the life of us. Paul experience within the realm of God's gracious action in Christ has enabled him to know that a life of graciousness can be a hard thing to swallow among us. It is much easier to keep focused on score keeping, comparisons, who's who...we all know that life. Paul will now bring to the Corinthians another level of community life that helps them move beyond what once was - life in the flesh (self-centered and self-concerned) - and into life in the Spirit (where the "community" life is a grand gift of the followers of Jesus).

Connection: Sometimes when the grace of God's Reign is heard, it sounds too free...too inclusive, and therefore limitless. To people who think we must pay a price, keep the group closed and not let the "word" reach out beyond our grasp in order to be good religious people, this unconditional love of God is always a bit confusing and strange. Keep looking into this strangeness.

Lord of the Banquet, you offer us the richest food of life, your boundless love. As we begin to feast upon this meal of new life, let it become our life and our loving. Amen.