Post-feast of the Dormition; the Holy Prophet Samuel (11th c. BC)
1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Matthew 19:3-12
Read 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
How do you address your letters? What we see in our reading today is the very beginning of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Instead of simply “getting down to business” he shows his love for his flock by addressing them with the thanksgiving he has for the community and the confirmation of the blessings they have received from Christ. He ends his greeting with a direction- to Jesus Christ who will help sustain the community “to the end” of their struggles and the end of the world itself.
How important greetings are, both in St. Paul’s time and in ours as well! Throughout the liturgical year we have greetings which centre our conversations on Christ- “Glory be to Jesus Christ,” “Christ is Risen,” “Christ is Born,” etc. I would like to challenge you to renew your awareness of how incredible these greetings really are. So often they can slip out as a simple “hi,” and yet they are a profound way to love God and our neighbour. Let us take a lead from St. Paul and begin and end our exchanges with the Lord!