THURSDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1 Cor 8:1-7,11-13 Ps 139:1-3,13-14,23-24 Lk 6:27-38
WE ARE INTIMATELY KNOWN AND LOVED
Paul turns to an area of concern in the Corinthian Church. It was about eating food offered to idols. It appears that the Corinthians were defending their practice of eating food that had been offered to idols. Those doing so claimed to have the gift of knowledge. It was the gift of the Spirit that led them to know how to behave.
Paul responds that knowledge is important, but, it may lead a person to self-exaltation and pride. One needs to be careful. In Gal 5:6 he says that ‘‘the only thing that counts is faith working through love.” Love needs to build up each other and involve all. Jesus reveals to us that God is love. We are invited each day to know God and to be drawn into his divine love, and into a communion with Him. Hence, knowledge without the love of God is not true knowledge.
Some were of the view that the food offered to idols had no real religious significance. In Gal 4:8 Paul tells us that “…when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods.” So, idolatry is possible. Paul reminds them that the one God whom they believe is the Father of all humanity. They are brothers and sisters and should be more sensitive to each other. Paul’s response invites us to examine how we treat people who sincerely are offended by the ways in which we behave. Are we sensitive to people’s feelings?
We are invited to follow the ultimate truth i.e., God is love. Love builds up. God draws us to himself as we are. Can we do the same for others? The psalmist marvels at God knowing every detail, every thought. It is wonderful when we realize that we are entirely known, yet completely loved. In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. The Synodal Church, Preparatory doc. no. 2 “…calls us to be, together, witnesses of God’s love.”
Response: Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.
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