The Holy Hieromartyr Athenogenes and his ten disciples.
1 Corinthians 10:28-11:7; Matthew 16:24-28.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:28-11:7
As typical, St. John Chrysostom’s reflections usually always orients the reader in an authentic interpretation of scripture. This quote does exactly that with giving a foundation to understand today’s section of St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. St John Chrysostom writes:
We who are strong, ought to bear the feelings of the week; In another place, he also says, ‘You who are spiritual restore such a one’ (Galatians 6:1). Have you become powerful? Render a return to God for making you so. You will duly render it if you set the weakness of the sickly right. For we two were weak, but by grace we have become powerful. And this we are to do not only in this case, but also in the case of those who are weak in other respects. For instance, if one is passionate, or insolent, or has any failing of this kind, bear with him. And how is this to be? Listen to what comes next …What he says is this. Are you powerful? Let the weak have trial on your power. Let him come to know your strength; please him …And so if you are rich or in power, do not please yourself but the poor and needy, because in this way you will at once have true glory to enjoy, and being doing much service. For glory from things of the world soon flies away, but that from things of the Spirit is abiding, if you do it to edification. (St. John Chrysostom, Homily XXVII on Romans X. Cf. The Bible and The Holy Fathers. Page 245)
The heading in the Orthodox Study Bible for the verses read in today’s epistle is “Offend No Man, Glorify God.” The first two verses prior to today’s reading are, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”
It is out of this mindset that St. Paul addresses the issue of eating food that is offered to the pagan idols of the Gentiles. It is evident for the Hebrews who read this that the emphasis is on the journey of the maturation of the Faith and not on food; more specifically in this case where the food was or may have been offered to the idols.
There is no doubt about the humility that is inherent to when a woman covers her head as was/is the Hebrew Tradition. The early Church Fathers taught that humility was a sin the devil could never imitate. Even put aside the context of the ancient tradition of the Hebrews, which continued in the practice of the early Church and look at how engrained was the long held understanding of the early Church, that there are mysteries that are so awesome, so beautiful, that the most appropriate response is to cover it, to hide it, to prostrate before it in profound reverence. This concept was very easy to understand in its time; in the context of today’s reading, with the Gentiles, was likely not known.
The Wisdom of these teachings are timeless. Go with God.