For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some.…
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But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah,from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel,whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. From Micah 5: 1-4 (NRSV) Mary’s birthday has been celebrated since the sixth century, nine months to the day…
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I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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