Set Your Mind on the Divine
by Fr. David M. Knight
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary 432
1 Cor 2:10b-16/Lk 4:31-37
Before reading 1Corinthians 2:10-16, we need to keep in mind, first, that the Church is required by its nature to be an instrument of change on earth. Our mission is to transform individuals, institutions and cultures in order to establish the “reign of God” on earth.
Second, this is the specific task of every individual consecrated in Baptism to continue the mission of Jesus, “Prophet, Priest and King.” As stewards of his kingship, we are all responsible: first, for noticing whatever in our world is not according to what God desires for his children; then for trying to change whatever we prudently can.
Third, we all have to take responsibility for changing the Church itself. If the instrument of change is flawed, the changes will be flawed. And the Church is always flawed. We are a “pilgrim Church,” kept basically on course by the Holy Spirit, though constantly wobbling on and off of it. Vatican II was honest:
The Church... will attain its full perfection only in the glory of heaven. Then will come the time of the restoration of all things...
Even now on this earth the Church is marked with a genuine though imperfect holiness. However, until there is a new heaven and a new earth where justice dwells, the pilgrim Church... carries the mark of this passing world, and takes her place among creatures who groan and until now suffer the pains of childbirth...
For this reason, the Council continues:
We urge all concerned to do what is in their power to remove or correct any abuses, excesses or defects which may have crept in here or there, and so restore all things that Christ and God be more fully praised.(Constitution on the Church, nos. 48, 51.)
Paul calls us to discern constantly whether we and others, including official teachers in the Church, are speaking by “the world’s spirit” or “God’s Spirit.” The first to fail this test was Peter himself, and Jesus corrected him fiercely: “You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things!” Should we expect Christ in us to be less vigilant today?(Matthew 16:23. See also Galatians 2:10-14.)
Luke 4:31-37: When Jesus taught in Capernaum, the people “were spellbound by his teaching.” Luke says this was because “his words had authority.” Matthew adds: “and not as their scribes,” whose authority was:
based on tradition. The scribe was careful to show that his own commentary rose from the tradition and was in harmony with it. Jesus taught like a prophet.... The Greek word exousia means ‘authority by commission.’ Jesus has a commission from the Father... that the scribes do not have. (See McKenzie, Jerome Biblical Commentary.)
Church teachers must always be in harmony with tradition. But to win credibility they must also give evidence of speaking by the Spirit of God.
Initiative: Accept responsibility. Be alert to what needs to be changed. Try.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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