Reflection for June 19, Day 163
Day 163
Ezra 1-3, Psalm 133, I Corinthians 8
Thanks be to God…we are finally out of I & II Chronicles. I felt as if I were perpetually stuck in an ancient version of “Forrest Gump” listening to Bubba recite the numerous ways in which shrimp can be cooked. I & II Chronicles along with I & II Kings were however a wonderful synopsis of the children of Israel’s myriad twist of fulfilling God’s promise to live as a
“chosen people.”
Chapter 8 of I Corinthians looks a first blush to be meaningless to us in the
21st Century, that is, assuming that all of your are actually living in the 21st
Century. (Just a joke…relax…take a deep breath!) He spends all of chapter
8 talking about the various nuances of dealing with people who offer food to
idols, hardly a common experience for us today. But a closer look at Paul’s
pastoral advice gives us a great deal of wisdom in dealing with our everyday
relationships.
Paul first addresses those who have become puffed up with pride because of
their experience with the Risen Lord, especially as they relates to those who do
not believe, or as we might say today, those who are different from us.
Paul counsels against pride in favor of “love” because “…love builds up”. (vs 1)
He continues his counsel by stating that although the food is offered to an
idol, “an idol stands for something that does not really exist…” (vs 4) In other
words, the offering goes to nothing for to us there is only “one God, the
Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live; and there is only
one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and through whom we
live.” (vs 6)
Paul sets a pastoral principle here that has been the hallmark of Anglican
pastoral approach to those who differ from us. Paul sets the tone for how we can
live with as well as vigorously share our faith with all people. He draws
attention to the reality that although we may know the Risen Lord, not all
people have so experienced this blessings! “But not everyone knows this truth.”
We are cautioned not feel prideful or puffed up as if we are better than others
but as if we have been blessed. We have received a gift, a gift to be shared in
love and compassion, not to be a battering ram for submission. Paul seems to say
that even though we do have something special that the world cannot find of or
by herself, we have received a precious jewel as a gift that by the very nature
of the gift must be shared with love and compassion. Of course, Paul will go on to describe this gift as “grace” and go into details as to grace’s nature and
blessing. But for us to day, our attitude should be one of embracing rather than
proving that we have been given knowledge that sets us above an apart from
others.
Much of what Paul comments upon about marriage in chapter 7 is applicable to
his advice in dealing with people in as a whole. At General Convention many
years ago, Bishop Michael Curry commented on the qualities of grace in marriage
that set the stage for a successful marriage. He said, “Do you want to be right
or do you want to be married.” Wow…talk about hitting the nail on the head. Yes,
marriage and for that matter any relationship aways depends on the deep seated
awareness that our relationship with God does not cause us to become puffed up
but rather to become humble in all our relationships. This I have come to know
all to well over the years. Last week, Annabel and I celebrated 45 years
of marriage. The success of continuing to be vibrant all these years is a
tribute to grace which always teaches that being together is far superior to
being “right”.
The Ven. Dr. Bryan A. Hobbs
Archdeacon
Diocese of Southeast Florida
Day 163
Ezra 1-3, Psalm 133, I Corinthians 8
Thanks be to God…we are finally out of I & II Chronicles. I felt as if I were perpetually stuck in an ancient version of “Forrest Gump” listening to Bubba recite the numerous ways in which shrimp can be cooked. I & II Chronicles along with I & II Kings were however a wonderful synopsis of the children of Israel’s myriad twist of fulfilling God’s promise to live as a
“chosen people.”
Chapter 8 of I Corinthians looks a first blush to be meaningless to us in the
21st Century, that is, assuming that all of your are actually living in the 21st
Century. (Just a joke…relax…take a deep breath!) He spends all of chapter
8 talking about the various nuances of dealing with people who offer food to
idols, hardly a common experience for us today. But a closer look at Paul’s
pastoral advice gives us a great deal of wisdom in dealing with our everyday
relationships.
Paul first addresses those who have become puffed up with pride because of
their experience with the Risen Lord, especially as they relates to those who do
not believe, or as we might say today, those who are different from us.
Paul counsels against pride in favor of “love” because “…love builds up”. (vs 1)
He continues his counsel by stating that although the food is offered to an
idol, “an idol stands for something that does not really exist…” (vs 4) In other
words, the offering goes to nothing for to us there is only “one God, the
Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live; and there is only
one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and through whom we
live.” (vs 6)
Paul sets a pastoral principle here that has been the hallmark of Anglican
pastoral approach to those who differ from us. Paul sets the tone for how we can
live with as well as vigorously share our faith with all people. He draws
attention to the reality that although we may know the Risen Lord, not all
people have so experienced this blessings! “But not everyone knows this truth.”
We are cautioned not feel prideful or puffed up as if we are better than others
but as if we have been blessed. We have received a gift, a gift to be shared in
love and compassion, not to be a battering ram for submission. Paul seems to say
that even though we do have something special that the world cannot find of or
by herself, we have received a precious jewel as a gift that by the very nature
of the gift must be shared with love and compassion. Of course, Paul will go on to describe this gift as “grace” and go into details as to grace’s nature and
blessing. But for us to day, our attitude should be one of embracing rather than
proving that we have been given knowledge that sets us above an apart from
others.
Much of what Paul comments upon about marriage in chapter 7 is applicable to
his advice in dealing with people in as a whole. At General Convention many
years ago, Bishop Michael Curry commented on the qualities of grace in marriage
that set the stage for a successful marriage. He said, “Do you want to be right
or do you want to be married.” Wow…talk about hitting the nail on the head. Yes,
marriage and for that matter any relationship aways depends on the deep seated
awareness that our relationship with God does not cause us to become puffed up
but rather to become humble in all our relationships. This I have come to know
all to well over the years. Last week, Annabel and I celebrated 45 years
of marriage. The success of continuing to be vibrant all these years is a
tribute to grace which always teaches that being together is far superior to
being “right”.
The Ven. Dr. Bryan A. Hobbs
Archdeacon
Diocese of Southeast Florida
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