A Spirit of Mutuality and Humility

Dear Friend,

In his magnificent biography of Saint Paul, scholar N.T. Wright brings to life the challenges Paul faced in forming communities based on belonging to and in Jesus Christ. A major obstacle to this kind of belonging was being “puffed up.” In fact, Wright states that the charge that the Corinthians are ‘puffed up’ is a major theme of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. What’s more, says Wright, “this [being puffed up] has nothing to do with Jewish law and everything to do with ordinary human pride and folly.” (p. 250)

We’ve been hearing Paul’s words to the Corinthians over the last two weeks. Again this week it’s clear that Christian community is based on the wisdom of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Paul flatly states that this is not a wisdom “of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.” (2:6) On the contrary, this is a wisdom which turns us toward one another, and especially toward those most in need, with a spirit of mutuality and humility. In Chapter 8, Paul will return to this theme: “knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.”

In prayer with the friars this week, one of our brothers shared an experience he’d had while serving a few years ago in a ministry very much like the Cordano Center. He reminded us that Franciscan spirituality begins in the heart and moves to the head. Saint Francis’s heart was humbled when the Lord led him among the lepers. In the sting of being deflated our hearts can be touched and opened by the Spirit. “Be reconciled” with one another, says Jesus. Says the Psalmist: “Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.” 

Gratefully, 

Father Dan, Pastor