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Lectionary Reflection

Year A, Epiphany 3
Standard (Episcopal) Lectionary – Revised Common Lectionary
New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 1: 10-17 (Standard [Episcopal] Lectionary)
1 Corinthians 1: 10-18 (Revised Common Lectionary)

[Start both Lectionaries] 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. [End Standard Lectionary] 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.

 

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 1: 10-12
by the Rev Tom Harries

A sermon celebrating and giving thanks for the sun could grow out of the image of light shining on those who were in darkness, which appears in the Isaiah passage and then is quoted in Matthew. This was discussed elsewhere.

Another possibility is to work off of the Corinthians' lesson:

Where Paul says, "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?"

We might expand on his point and apply it to caring for creation.

People say, "I belong to the US, I belong to Nigeria, I belong to China.…

When in fact we all belong to the one planet earth, and we need to be united in our care for her.

See also the General Reflection on the readings for this day: The Shalom of Souls and Stars

 

Printable version

To Reflections on other Readings for Year A, Epiphany 3:

Reflections available at the active links
Standard (Episcopal)
Lectionary
Revised Common
Lectionary
Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) Lesson:
Amos 3:1-8
Psalm
Psalm 139:1-17 or 139:1-11
Psalm 27: 1, 5-13
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
(this page)
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
(this page)
Gospel

 

The Rev Tom Harries was priest-in-charge of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, St. Peter, MN; Total Ministry Mentor in Central Minnesota; and Co-chair of MEESC, when he originally wrote this reflection in 2007. Tom and we welcome your comments. Please address your comments or additional reflections to Tom Harries or any MEESC member, or mail them to:


 MEESC
c/o C. Morello
4451 Lakeside Drive
Eveleth, MN 55743-4400 USA

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