Texts: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Luke 6:12-19.
Dear friends,
It is often taught in history that the Muslims were able to penetrate into most of the areas the Christians could have evangelized simply because the Christians were busy settling the issues of doctrines. There were arguments and counterarguments to this. Inasmuch as this was necessary, the Christians then seemed not to be vigilant enough to recognize the loopholes they were creating at this point.
Dear friends, the enemies always win when there’s a lack of unity among us as Christians. In the readings of today, we see how, regardless of our differences, we can at least have a healthy Christian community.
In the first reading, St. Paul emphasizes the need to learn to settle our differences amicably within the Christian fold. It is not wise to take cases of differences in the community to unbelievers for settlement. This has ruined many Christian families. Two things are involved: first, the unbeliever may look into the issue and seem to settle it peacefully. Second, they may not settle it justly, simply because they would employ their unbelieving principles to water down what you hold sacred as Christians. But one thing is for sure: when you depart, you will be ridiculed for not resolving your issues despite calling yourselves Christians.
To emphasize your place in God and the power He has given you, Paul says, “Don’t you know you will judge the angels?” This simply tells us that we have what it takes to settle disputes amongst ourselves. Inasmuch as we are different individuals, let us understand that conflicts will come, but how do we settle them? Where do we run to when they happen?
In the Gospel reading, prayer is emphasized. While forming His community, Jesus prayed all through the night. Dear friends, why do we neglect prayer? Why are we lazy in prayer? Why do we not pray? If Jesus prayed, what is holding us back from praying?
Dear friends, we need the attitude of Christ to have a healthy Christian community in the broader sense, and even in our families.
May God bless His words in our hearts. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
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