Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise.
"I don't always agree with what you say, but then I don't always agree with what I say." says the wit.
Only the most silent among us don't get sometimes carried away by our infallible pronouncements. Sometimes we're overemphasizing a truth, sometimes we're trying to win an argument, sometimes we want to say something but can't think of anything intelligent to say.
Saint Paul, in one of the earliest Christian documents, reflects on the mysterious kenosis of God and how it should appear among us. We are called to imitate the God who did not consider being God worth holding onto.
If the Lord who is all powerful, all wise, and all good considered these assets worth fighting for, his people would have to resist, fight and even kill one another to be like him.
But the Lord, whom we know as God, who demonstrated his divinity beyond all doubt in the Resurrection, and continually confirms his divinity by the Spirit that moves in us, washed his hands of the whole business. He preferred to be born as a homeless refugee among poor people. Their only asset was their faith; they shared what little they had with him.
Where Americans lust after their wealth and continually crave more, Saint Paul's Corinthian congregation envied the intelligentia of Greece. They wanted to be considered learned, sophisticated, and cultured. But the wisdom of this world cannot fathom the wisdom of the cross. Only those who gaze on the crucified and see his resurrection can be truly wise, even if the elite of this world regard them as fools.
Today's gospel complements Saint Paul's lesson in the contrast between the landlubber Jesus and the fisherman Peter. What does Jesus know about fishing? He has wandered into Peter's world and now the amateur directs the professional to, "“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Peter wisely acts foolishly and becomes the most trusted of Jesus's disciples.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.