Quarrels Have Been Reported Among You

This meditation is based on a passage for February 22, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-19 1

Reflection and Question: If there had been no problems in the church, we might not have met Paul; his letters, like this one, always address something troubling his listeners. After the standard greeting and thanks, Paul raises and displays the trouble in Corinth: “For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you.” He chastises the Corinthians for their cliques even as he admits being in touch with one of them, “Chloe’s people.” He expects his message of unity to be spurned as “foolishness.” How can Paul’s message of unity end quarrels in your faith community?

Prayer: God of Paul, Chloe, Apollos and Cephas, we thank You that in every way You have enriched us in Christ Jesus and pray that You will unite us in the same mind and purpose, finding us blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.