This week's reflection
FIRM FOUNDATIONS
When the people of Israel returned from exile it was a time of great hope and
rejoicing. God’s promises had proved true and their persistence in faith had been
rewarded. Now was the time to rebuild and people set about re-establishing
their lives, homes and businesses. During the exile, they had been united in their
suffering but now there was the danger of people looking after themselves at the
cost of others. Isaiah was concerned to nip this in the bud showing that the best
foundation on which to rebuild was their concern for others, especially the poor
and the disadvantaged. In this way, their lives would be a shining example. In the
gospel, Jesus calls each of us to examine the quality of our care for our brothers
and sisters. It is by means of our practical concern that we can be salt for the earth
and light for our world.
Paul was concerned that the faith of some of the Corinthian Christians was
not built on a firm foundation. They had been overly impressed by the quality of
the preaching and rhetoric of the various preachers who had worked among them.
He knew that while their response was understandable, it was nonetheless
misguided. At the end of the day, he knew that rhetoric and philosophy would
never build a foundation that could challenge the one built on the self-giving
love of Jesus. With their eyes fixed on the crucified one, they could learn true
wisdom and the meaning of love.
Christopher Monaghan CP
When the people of Israel returned from exile it was a time of great hope and
rejoicing. God’s promises had proved true and their persistence in faith had been
rewarded. Now was the time to rebuild and people set about re-establishing
their lives, homes and businesses. During the exile, they had been united in their
suffering but now there was the danger of people looking after themselves at the
cost of others. Isaiah was concerned to nip this in the bud showing that the best
foundation on which to rebuild was their concern for others, especially the poor
and the disadvantaged. In this way, their lives would be a shining example. In the
gospel, Jesus calls each of us to examine the quality of our care for our brothers
and sisters. It is by means of our practical concern that we can be salt for the earth
and light for our world.
Paul was concerned that the faith of some of the Corinthian Christians was
not built on a firm foundation. They had been overly impressed by the quality of
the preaching and rhetoric of the various preachers who had worked among them.
He knew that while their response was understandable, it was nonetheless
misguided. At the end of the day, he knew that rhetoric and philosophy would
never build a foundation that could challenge the one built on the self-giving
love of Jesus. With their eyes fixed on the crucified one, they could learn true
wisdom and the meaning of love.
Christopher Monaghan CP