Daily Retreat 08/28/08
2008 Aug 28 Thu: Augustine, bp, dr M
1 Cor 1: 1-9/ Ps 144(145): 2-3. 4-5. 6-7/ Mt 24: 42-51
From today’s readings: “God is faithful, and by Him you were called to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.... Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable... So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Letters to Sin City
In New Testament times, Corinth was a city well-known for its licentiousness - throughout the Roman Empire, for instance, “Corinthian girl” was a slang term for “prostitute.” Few places would have been less likely to give the high moral demands of the Gospel a fair hearing.
And yet, when Paul arrived there around the year 50 (cf. Acts of the Apostles, chapter 18), he found fertile ground for the Faith, which inspired him to stay there for a year and a half. Later, around the year 57, he wrote two great letters to the Corinthians (and two additional letters which have been lost).
The two epistles to the Corinthians are perfect examples of typical Pauline letters: they begin with a warm greeting, address particular concerns which had come to Paul’s attention, contain profound passages of doctrinal exposition, shine with the intense emotions and rationality of Paul’s genius, and close with some practical requests and final exhortations.
For the next several weeks, the First Letter to the Corinthians will be featured as the first reading. All around, this is my favorite New Testament epistle. Try to read the whole text today or tomorrow, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you too find a number of familiar and favorite passages which perhaps you weren’t aware are to be found in this great letter. Even the greeting (read today) is an inspiration in itself!
1 Cor 1: 1-9/ Ps 144(145): 2-3. 4-5. 6-7/ Mt 24: 42-51
From today’s readings: “God is faithful, and by Him you were called to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.... Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable... So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Letters to Sin City
In New Testament times, Corinth was a city well-known for its licentiousness - throughout the Roman Empire, for instance, “Corinthian girl” was a slang term for “prostitute.” Few places would have been less likely to give the high moral demands of the Gospel a fair hearing.
And yet, when Paul arrived there around the year 50 (cf. Acts of the Apostles, chapter 18), he found fertile ground for the Faith, which inspired him to stay there for a year and a half. Later, around the year 57, he wrote two great letters to the Corinthians (and two additional letters which have been lost).
The two epistles to the Corinthians are perfect examples of typical Pauline letters: they begin with a warm greeting, address particular concerns which had come to Paul’s attention, contain profound passages of doctrinal exposition, shine with the intense emotions and rationality of Paul’s genius, and close with some practical requests and final exhortations.
For the next several weeks, the First Letter to the Corinthians will be featured as the first reading. All around, this is my favorite New Testament epistle. Try to read the whole text today or tomorrow, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you too find a number of familiar and favorite passages which perhaps you weren’t aware are to be found in this great letter. Even the greeting (read today) is an inspiration in itself!
posted by FrPitstick | 8/26/2008
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