Post-feast of the Transfiguration. Holy Martyrs Photius and Anicetas (284-305).
Dormition Fast.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15. Mark 3:6-12.
Read 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
One of Paul’s activities while travelling around was to collect funds for the Church in Jerusalem. Today’s epistle comes within a larger section of this letter concerning this collection. The Corinthians were a wealthy community and therefore in a privileged position to provide financial support for the Jerusalemite Church—if they are willing to. And they had expressed a desire to contribute, likely significantly, towards this collection a year prior to Paul writing this letter.
There seems to be a problem—someone else seems to have eased off on their collections out of hardship and Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to make up for that lack. There is a hesitation among the Corinthians to do this, otherwise Paul wouldn’t be arguing why they should.
Herein lies a common human reaction to seeing others not pulling their weight (even if for very good reasons): “It’s his job, I’m not going to do it” or “If she doesn’t do her part, I won’t do mine”.
While there might be a place for this (such as in unionized labour), helping the Church in need is definitely not the time and place.
The Church in Jerusalem is in need. It turns out that someone isn’t able to help in the way that they had agreed to. Therefore, out of mercy and charity, it is a moral duty for those of means to do what they can to step up.
This moral duty fell upon the Corinthians in Paul’s time and it falls upon any of us who are of means.
When the Church is in need or there are other pressing needs in our communities (especially concerning poverty), there is a moral duty for Christians to step up and give of their time, talent, and treasure in support of those in need.
This begins at home and extends to the parish and finally to the wider community. And like in Paul’s time, there is always going to be someone who does not do what they signed up for in helping. That doesn’t change our duty but only increases the urgency for us to carry out our duty.
Let us always look outwards seeking those in need and providing support in whatever way we can.