Today, in the first reading Paul urged the Church in Corinth whom he called his “fellow workers” not to receive the grace of God in vain. Why did Paul make this passionate appeal? Why this concern for the Corinthians? What did Paul see or hear about the local church community?
Paul plea was a cry of a father, a steward of the Gospel, and a concern for the church in Corinth. By urging the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God in vain, he is begging them not to turn away from the gracious opportunity to hear the gospel he had so faithfully preached to them. Paul had poured his life “like a libation” into the Corinthians during his long stay in their city (Acts 18:11), preaching and teaching them how to grow in grace of the gospel.
Unfortunately, the church in Corinth was riddled with sin, as Paul revealed in his first epistle. In Corinth there were false teachers, whom Paul called “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Paul warned that these wolves in sheep clothing were luring many in the assembly away from the truth. This passionate concern for the Corinthians was behind what he wrote later:
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere [and pure] commitment to Christ. For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough”. (2 Cor. 11:3–4)
So, Paul could not sit idly and allow his diligent efforts to be undone. He could not permit his spiritual children to be deceived by a false gospel or led astray from the true path of sanctification. As an Apostle his duty was to exhort people not to receive the grace of God in vain.
Paul went on and on to remind the Corinthian church of the sacrifices they have made and continued to make in their midst as the bring the Gospel to them. Hence, he said “We cause no one to stumble in anything, in order that no fault may be found with our ministry in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left; through glory and dishonor, insult and praise. We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful; as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as chastised and yet not put to death; as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.”
Just like in the days of Paul in Corinth, there is concern of many in our society, in our families, in our parishes, who follow the wolves, rather than follow the voice of the good shepherd. They prefer to walk in darkness rather than in light. This is a concern for the Church, for many parents, who see dangers lurking around, looking for someone to devour. A typical example was the blasphemy that took place with LA Dodgers and Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we never forget that rainbow is a sign of God’s mercy and not a sign of human stupidity. As Archbishop of Los Angeles beautifully said “When God is insulted, it diminishes all of us.
Have a blessed Week.
