Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Post-feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Venerable-Martyr Dometius (360- 63)
Dormition Fast.
1 Corinthians 3:9-17; Matthew 14:22-34
Read 1 Corinthians 3:9-17
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
How can one lay a foundation that has already been laid once and for all? The answer to that apparent contradiction is the central point St. Paul is making in today’s reading.
Paul is addressing those in the Corinthian church who are dividing against each other over the identities they are building around their favourite apostolic figures – Paul, who founded that church, and Apollos, who has been building it up since. In his argument, Paul destroys in himself the foundations of such factionalism. Paul presents himself, not with power or prestige, but as one under absolute constraints. In laying the foundation for the church in Corinth or any other place, the only thing Paul can do is to found everything taught and practiced upon the person and work of Jesus Christ, the foundation already laid for us all. He calls all others who build upon it to do so only with works that will last and stand the test of the final judgement of God.
It is both a sobering and joyful thing to realise that, in our parish life, we are both “God’s fellow workers” and “God’s temple”. As we approach our relationships with each other this Sunday, let us reflect on what we are building in ourselves and among ourselves, as to whether we are bringing building materials suitable for such a foundation as Jesus Christ.