I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you....
Our faith is built on the foundation which the Lord laid; that is, the school of his apostles built. It is a religion of doctrines and teachings, of sacraments, prayers, and traditions. It is built on the integrity of witnesses and believers, and the faith we place in them. And that is why we don't hesitate to notice, remark upon, and celebrate the virtue of our teachers even as we listen to their teachings.
Saint Paul begins his first letter to the Corinthians by recalling the "grace of God bestowed upon" them in Christ Jesus. He knows, as they know and we know, that it was he who brought them the "discourse and all knowledge" which has "enriched (them) in every way." But this is not a subtle form of self agrandizement. He did not persuade them about the truth of Jesus Christ because that truth is not conveyed by persuasion, coercion, or force. It must be received as a blessing from God. It may come to the hearers as they hear the announcement; or it may come days, weeks, or years later. Sometimes it comes back again and again as it continues to work its way into the darker places in our hearts.
Paul could "boast" of his hard work, sacrifices, and setbacks; but he would also have to admit that "unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it." He was only a worker; the Master made it happen. Nor could he point to the building and say, "I built that!" because there is no actual building; there is only that group of men and women committed to the Lord and to one another. In a very near future, new members would not recognize him in the street; and would know him only by reputation, if at all.
But they would remember his work forever. The Lord's building crew neither ask nor expect the reward of universal recognition. It's simply not important. What's important is the House the Lord has built; and whenever we look up on it we thank God for building it "as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you...."
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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.