Click here for today’s Scripture readings.

1 Cor. 2:10-16
Luke 4:3137

Are Christians really different from other peoples?  After all, many are searching for truth; pursuing justice, peace and the elimination of exploitation.  So what makes us different??  The answer may be in today’s selection from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

As Christians we profess to have recognized the face of God in Jesus Christ – we recognize in Christ the repository of the Spirit of God and, St. Paul says, we have been gifted with God’s Spirit.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus bursts into the life of the man possessed — turns his life around. The witnesses to this event are thunderstruck and ask ‘What is there about his Word?” Jesus spoke with authority – with certainty – not like the prophets who were considered messengers saying, ‘thus says the Lord;’ and not like the religious leaders who would appeal to other authorities saying. ‘Rabbi so and so says this and Rabbi so and so says that.’  Jesus spoke as one who knew – one who knew the spirit of God.  As Christians, that same spirit of God has been poured out on us in the Sacraments of Initiation which we have received.

At Christmas, you will often see cards with the verse ‘One Solitary Life’ written by James Francis, a Christian minister.  Pastor Francis says, this ‘one solitary life’ – Jesus’ simple life – has changed the world more than all the armies, navies, kings and parliaments.  I believe that is because the mind and spirit of God was the focus of Jesus’ life.

May the mind and spirit of God always be the focus of our Church and of each Christian.

It’s an awesome claim that Paul makes – ‘We have the mind of Christ.’ Yet that is the gift that makes us different – that makes us Christians.

- Brother Gus Parlavechio, C.P.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church (thepassionists.org)