Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Gospel: St. Matthew 13:24-30
Answering God: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, especially vs. 2:
"To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." With today's reading we begin a month-long course of readings through the first of St. Paul's epistles (letters) to the church at Corinth. With a few exceptions (Saturdays, Sundays and some major Holy Days), the readings will progress through the two letters, covering most of the text.
The Christian community to which the Apostle Paul wrote was a troubled congregation. St. John Chrysostom described them as tainted by "the madness which belongs to Heathen Philosophy," by which he meant, "...they had become divided; in this respect also having learned of the philosophers....And...Having begun to trust themselves to reasonings."
The Corinthians' reliance on their own human wisdom left them immature in Christ. Not surprisingly, therefore, "growth in Christ" is the paramount theme of the first part of First Corinthians. Each of the four lessons emphasizes distinct steps essential for growth in Christ: to answer God's call (1 Cor.1: 1-9), accept transformation by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9-3), seek true wisdom (1 Cor.3;eighteen), and stop judging others - leaving judgment to God (1 Cor.4: 5).
In today's reading, observe that the word ‘call' appears four times in the nine verses. Three out of the four times when the Apostle uses ‘call,' he is referring to God's initiative toward mankind (vss. 1,2,9). Once, he uses ‘call' to describe the response of the Faithful to God (vs. 2).
What is it to be ‘called' of God? In Scripture, the term "being called" describes the action of God speaking to His People, telling them His will, and directing them to carry out His plans. In turn, those who know God describe His directives to them as "being called."
In the Apostle's case, God called him into His service as His Apostle (vs. 1). God's call sent ("apostelo" in the original) Saul of Tarsus, and he became "one sent," an "Apostle" (Acts 26:13-19). By obeying, he was transformed into the Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 26:17).
St. Paul uses his own experience as a model for teaching us to obey, submit, and do God's will whenever He calls. Hence, for the Corinthians, the call of God was a requirement to obey the Holy Spirit in order to be made holy, to be "sanctified in Christ Jesus;" for they, like all Christians, are "called to be saints" - in the sense of being "holy ones," people set apart. Every Christian is to respond to God's call in turn by calling "on the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord" (vs. 2).
Next, St. Paul reveals what it means to "call upon God," to respond to Him faithfully (vss. 3-9). Answering the call of God, the Faithful dutifully are open to His ways as they obey God. Thereby, they receive grace and peace from God the Father through the Lord Jesus (vss. 3,4).
Further, God's grace and peace enable Christians to be "enriched in everything" by God (vs. 5). We receive all we need for a relationship with the living God including "utterance" or "speech." And speech enables us to address God in prayer and worship and to speak of Him to others, that is, to witness to His grace and peace.
These steps were familiar to the Corinthians, for they had received the testimony of the Apostles concerning Christ, and the Apostolic witness had brought them peace and grace (vs. 6). Also, the Apostle's teaching equipped them with every spiritual gift, and they looked forward to Christ's return (vs. 7) in hope of being "blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs. #eight).
Beloved, God was faithful to the Apostle and the Corinthians, and He is faithful to us whom He also has called to be His People. Let us also be faithful to heed and answer His call!
Call upon the Lord: He is faithful, Who hath heard thee and helped thee and saved thee.
For some strange reason whereever i had a number 8 it changed it to a face..had to use words to get rid of them....L
