Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 73



When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.


In the world of the Roman Empire, the educated were especially adept at public speaking. That would have been the most important form of communication outside public town cryers. On any given day or night there were philosophers, preachers and singers in the public places trying to engage the crowds. 

Schools taught the arts of persuasion as well as knowledge of learning and lore. If no one was exploring or developing new learning - no "R&D" -- they knew how to make the best of what they had. There were probably different schools of persuasion. A critic might recognize by whom this or that speaker was trained. 

Saint Paul, a disciple of the well-known Gamaliel, was also trained in public persuasion. But, coming to Corinth, he renounced his persuasive style. He had attempted it in Athens and failed miserably. Coming to the rougher, port city of Corinth, he decided to speak in an ordinary voice to those few who would listen to them. He would tell the story of Jesus, crucified and resurrected, stripped of the philosophical trappings he had tried in the more fashionable city. Prepared to fail, he succeeded. 

Recently a devout woman told me of her distress upon meeting someone who doesn't believe in God. "How can they live like that?" she wondered. 

Many people do. They marry and divorce, have multiple affairs and abortions, pay their bills, love their children and prepare for retirement. A promiscuous person, I am told, has sexual liaisons with five or more different people every year. Less than that is considered normal. Many people like that are not especially unhappy with their lives and their amusements. They may admire people who attend Church but have no curiosity about it. 

Telling such people how unhappy they are probably won't do much good; nor will promises of greater happiness if they will only "repent and believe the good news." They have already met too many ship-wrecked Christians with dubious claims to moral superiority. 

Like Saint Paul in Corinth, we realize the old tricks of persuasion don't serve the Gospel very well. We have tried forcing people to convert under the threat of ostracism, punishment or death. Our missionaries followed soldiers to the Americas with disastrous results. We have used handouts to fill the churches, only to discover the "Rice Christians" lost their faith when the food ran out.  

None of that promotes the Gospel. The Holy Spirit moves people to faith, to study our religion and accept our testimony. All we do is suggest that God is very good to us. The rest is God's work. 


It is dreadfully painful to raise children in the faith and watch them drop out of church one by one. They'll probably complain at some point that religion was "forced down my throat." It's a stock phrase and can be used by anyone without any particular reflection; but it hurts to hear it. They'll complain about hypocritical Christians and insincere preachers as they struggle to find their own authenticity. 

Their excuses don't matter and should not be taken seriously. If they receive the Spirit they won't remember saying them. 

"What is necessary," as Jesus said to the synagogue leader, "is faith. Your daughter will be healed." We must speak the word in season and out of season, and pray without ceasing all the time.