Weekly Reflection

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 29, 2012

SCRIPTURE
“. . . I should like you to be free of anxieties.” 1 Corinthians 7:32

PREACHING
The Gospels tell us about Jesus. They witness to how he preached and healed. They tell us how he suffered, died, and rose from the dead. Paul is Jesus’ interpreter. From his experience of the Risen Jesus on the way to Damascus, he realized that his life needed to turn around to Jesus. Paul’s ministry included founding communities as pastor, preaching Jesus to Jews and Gentiles, and writing letters to keep connected to the communities. The Church handed down Paul’s letters that inspire and challenge believers today.

We hear snippets of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians for several Sundays until Lent begins. In chapter 7, Paul is answering the questions the Corinthians sent their pastor. It’s helpful to read the whole chapter to see their concerns about social status (vocation). Paul gives them advice about marriage (7:1-16), changing their social status (7:17-24), on virgins, widows, and married life (7:25-40).

Paul believes that the end of the world is coming soon (7:29). So, he insists that the Corinthians “lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God has called you” (7:17). God does not prefer one social status (vocation) over another. God will provide what is necessary so that each person may live faithfully and freely without anxieties (7:32). From his own experience, Paul can commend virginity as a vocation (7:8, 32-34).

FOR YOUR REFLECTION
Do I reflect on my social status (vocation) from God? Am I grateful for the variety of vocations that build up the Body of Christ?

Sister Mary Margaret Pazdan, OP