Friday, January 20, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 1:10–18

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NRSV)  

Reflection

I don’t know about you, but I am so weary of the world’s polarization and division. as was Paul two thousand years ago when he wrote this letter to Corinth. The deep flaws of humanity continue today and thrive with a media fueling our fear-based beliefs and insistence that I am right and you are wrong. It is normal to feel that nothing will ever change and that we are helpless to contribute anything to shift our world just a little bit. Yet I do believe that the conversations each of us chooses to have can help change the world or damage it. Perhaps the only place to begin is intentional self-awareness of the conversations we have with ourselves. These are important, because our thoughts create our reality, and our reality becomes the words we put into the world around us and helps shape the world around us.

I wonder how each of us can be more intentional about the words we choose in our heads and the conversations we have with others, reflecting on the questions we ask or don’t ask? Just imagine for a minute the sum of everything we’ve spoken in our lives and then ask ourselves whether we chose to change the world for the better or not. 

It is with language that we learn, grow, and build trust. Reality is, since we are all different, what if we ask ourselves “How can I draw closer to someone’s uniqueness?” Where might we overlap and have common challenges and fears? What might happen if I used all my energy and empathy to understand as opposed to being understood? Perhaps by each of us inserting curiosity and interest in others, instead of anger and judgment, and being open and vulnerable, a bridge can be built to others. Listening to each other’s truths with kindness can help create a safe place for conversation. As can remembering that unity is not conformity yet believing that unity anchored in God’s love embraces our differences, diversity, and a rainbow of people, ideas, and cultures one person at a time. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, please give each of us the heart of Chloe desiring unity and peace, not division and discord. Help us move toward each other with openness, curiosity, kindness, and love, changing the world for the better one person at a time. Amen.

Written by Cris Ohr, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church  

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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