Readings: 1 Cor. 3:1-9, Ps. 33:12-15,20-21, Luke 4:38-44
“For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations?” (1 Corinthians 3:3)
Once upon a time, a preacher told the story of a man who was given the privilege of going on an excursion to Hell and Heaven. According to him, the food in heaven and hell is the same. The only difference is that in heaven, there is love, but in hell, there is no love. In heaven, the food goes around, but in hell, the food is wasted as everyone scrambles for it to the detriment of others.
Today, St. Paul describes jealousy and quarrelling as symptoms of persons who lack spiritual maturity. No matter how holy one may be, so long as they act with jealousy and get involved in quarrels with others, they are “ordinary”; that is, they are still of the flesh. This is why we are often taken aback when we see Christians we respect exchanging words or fighting amongst themselves.
If I am jealous or quarrelsome, it means I need more of the Holy Spirit in my life. And when the Holy Spirit is in me, I will begin to bear fruit such as: love (ability to rejoice in the success of others rather than resent them), gentleness (the opposite of harshness and self-assertion that fuels arguments), peace (that inner calm and contentment that removes insecurity, comparison, jealous rivalry) and patience (self-restraint against quick temper, staying calm to avoid dispute)
Because of their unspiritual nature (lack of the Holy Spirit), the Corinthians fought one another, even taking sides between Paul and Apollos. They quickly developed camps, not knowing that by quarrelling, they were giving free access to the devil to destroy their church. In any Church where there is jealousy and quarrelling, the devil is always the happiest. By fighting your fellow Christian over which man of God is more “powerful” or which has won more souls, you are renting yourself out freely as the devil’s agent.
Why must we argue and fight over our pastors? Do we forget that they are merely instruments in God’s hands? St. Paul says it all: “So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labour.” Do not worship your shepherds, and never look down on any of them. Even the one who has nothing to show for their call is equal with the one you consider a saint.
The key to overcoming the temptation of jealousy and quarrelling is seeking the Holy Spirit through constant prayer. Did you notice that in today’s Gospel passage, immediately after the healing and casting-out-of-demons session, Jesus retreated to a quiet place to pray? This is an important lesson. Jesus did not “need” prayer, yet He never took prayer for granted. If you value prayer, you will always make time for it. Even if it means rising early or staying up all night, you will never let a day pass without spending time in communion with God.
Prayer is one great cure for the vice of pride. Jesus did not allow his victory over the demons in the synagogue to get to his head. From synagogue to the house to the healing crusade, Jesus still made time for personal prayer. What does this teach us? Community prayer is good, but personal prayer is not optional. Jesus could have asked, “I have prayed in the synagogue; why do I need to pray again?” What if you started seeing prayer as a form of relaxation rather than work? Can you make prayer something you look forward to, no matter how busy you are?
Let us pray: God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Wednesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: 1 Cor. 3:1-9, Ps. 33:12-15,20-21, Luke 4:38-44)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu