“Light bulbs! They’re arguing about light bulbs!” the pastor thought. He had sat at the end of the council table for more than half an hour listening to council members argue over who would change a burnt-out bulb. The discussion increased in volume and temperature as the minutes slipped by. When the council broke for a few minutes, the pastor grabbed a lightbulb and a step ladder from the closet and changed the bulb. He hoped this would lead council members to move on to another topic and calm would enter the room. It didn’t. The discussion pivoted to “it’s not the pastor’s place to change light bulbs.” Anger was council’s currency.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul strives to instill a sense of unity among the congregation’s members. It appears that these members are pulling their community in different directions as they seek to follow Christ. Paul reminds them that love needs to be at the centre of their individual and communal life. They can have faith and they can share their gifts, but without love behind them, these efforts fall short of building up the body of the community. Paul calls on them, and on us, to be unified in love.
Abba, may I always act with patience, kindness and love. Amen. —