A Friend Who Makes Rivalry Irrelevant
by Fr. David M. Knight
View readings for Sunday, December 31, 2023, Feast The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123123.cfm
Lectionary no. 17 (Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 (or Genesis 15:1–6; 21:1–3); Psalm 128; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:22-40)
Let the peace of Christ rule… Colossians 3:15
Preachers today won’t touch the text: “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…”
That is because the current cultural tension over male-female dominance issues blocks out Paul’s focus on Jesus. Notice his words “as the Lord... let the peace of Christ rule… in one body… in the name of… in the Lord.” Paul’s focus is on what Jesus is doing with, in, and through us.
In Ephesians 5:2 Paul tells everyone, “Be subject to one another—mutually—out of reverence for Christ.” Then he tells wives to be subject to their husbands “as you are to the Lord… as the Church is subject to Christ,” and husbands to love their wives, “just as Christ loved the Church.”
For Paul, already there is “only one Christ loving himself.” Where all are one, there is no higher or lower.
Paul is talking, as always, about the mystery that capsulized everything he was sent to preach: “Christ in you” (Colossians 1:27). Paul is simply telling husbands and wives—and everyone else—always to be and see Christ in themselves and in others, and to interact accordingly. Any roles Christians have are just different ways Jesus is serving us in others, and we are serving Jesus in them.
Friendship is interaction. Interact with Jesus in every interaction with his body on earth.
ACTION: Practice being and seeing Jesus. All day.
PRAYER: “Lord, be with me. Let me be with you.”
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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