22 Week, Ordinary Time, Wed. Sept. 6, 2006

Scripture: I Cor.3:1-9. Psalm 33:12-15,20-21. Luke 4:38-44

Paul, the itinerant preacher and pastor, show us his tenderness for the charismatic people of Corinth. He feeds them with "milk" explaining the faith in simple terms and encouraging them to keep growing in that faith so as to receive solid food -- representing the deeper knowledge of the mysteries of Jesus their Messiah. He is as tender as a mother giving her milk to her baby and yet aware that she has to wean the infant from her so that the child may grow. Paul often receives a bad wrap by those who read selectively and who pick out certain passages that show a negative slant on him. Yet, too, often these same chosen passages may not have come from Paul! As in other parts of Scripture, we have to read the entire body of Paul's writings to see the bigger picture and not read our issues into those of Paul's time. Paul takes the time to instruct them in the Gospel which is his top priority. He does not act like a priest among them, but as an evangelizer. Paul takes people where they are in their relationship to God and develops them from that point of departure. He is only concerned that the Gospel be preached and that they are led into the paths of their Lord and Savior Jesus. Paul is the preacher who always is Christ-centered and the one who preached the redeeming action of Jesus through his death on the Cross.

I am led to praise God with Paul by taking up the response of the Psalm for today: "Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own...for their souls are waiting for the Lord, who is their help and their shield."

Jesus likewise takes people where they are in relationship to his actions and words among them. He heals Peter's mother-in-law and she "rises" and serves them (diakonia). He expels evil spirits who actually know who he is , the son of God and the Messiah. Jesus continues to move on to other towns and villages bringing them the Good News of salvation and of the Kingdom of God.

Let us pray: "O God, we too are your people and you take us where we are respecting the individuality of each of us. We ask you to heal us, to instruct us, and to take away any form of weakness or sin within us. We want to follow you more closely today and to grow into love for you more and more. Help us to learn more quickly how to take the paths that lead us to your Kingdom where you live and reign with God forever. Amen."