I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer—and before unbelievers at that? From 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 NRSV Paul has some stern words for the Christian community in Corinth about…
Read more
For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor 5:1-8 NRSV At the beginning of this reading, Paul has the difficult task of confronting the recently established Christian…
Read more
For who can learn the counsel of God?Or who can discern what the Lord wills?For the reasoning of mortals is worthless,and our designs are likely to fail;for a perishable body weighs down the soul,and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind. From Wisdom 9:13-18, NRSV In today’s first reading we hear words from a prayer…
Read more
So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. From 1 Thessalonians 2:2-8, NRSV At the beginning of this reading, we hear Paul referring to the opposition and rough treatment…
Read more
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. From 1 Corinthians 4: 1-5 (NRSV) The key word in today’s reading seems to be “stewards” – people to whom something special is entrusted. It does not belong…
Read more
So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. From 1 Corinthians 3: 18-23 (NRSV) Paul has had to…
Read more
Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s…
Read more
For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed…
Read more
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and…
Read more
The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favour in the sight of the Lord.For great is the might of the Lord; but by the humble he is glorified.Neither seek what is too difficult for you, nor investigate what is beyond your power. From Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31 NRSV Today we…
Read more
