The lectionary epistle for Epiphany 3 in Year A is the next part of 1 Corinthians, verses 10 to 18.
Having prepared his canvas in the previous verses with all the amazing things God has done for his readers, Paul now paints in the details of the problems of factionalism. He challenges the idea of charismatic leaders, and of ministry being about people rather than faith. And he sows the seeds of ideas he will develop later in the letter of the nature of unity and diversity in the body of believers.
The gospel reading is Matthew 4.12–23, the initial preaching of Jesus and calling of the first disciples. The written commentary is here.
and the video discussion is here.
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It seems to me that when the Cross is pushed to the
Margins of Christian thinking disorder ensues, personality
Cults and detractors flourish unhindered.
The Cross is the epicentre, the fulcrum of
Christian Life, it certainly was for Paul to the nth degree.
Without that pre-eminence, the rest is but window dressing.
All our commentaries and 20-minute Homilies are pointless.
The rough chaffing, killing Cross becomes a smooth polished symbol
The Cross is where the principalities and powers are robbed and
emasculated.
It’s not what people care to preach or hear.
For Paul, he desired to know nothing amongst them
save Christ and Him Crucified.
There follows that Baptism itself becomes a mere cipher.
We prefer to welcome anyone into our “family” unconditionally.
People are not taught that entrance into the Kingdom of Life
is very narrow [as the eye of a needle] and few there be that find it.
Carnal warfare is evidence of a marginalized Cross. A denial of
the Sovereign Lordship of Christ. a feature of many socials.
One wonders how many sermons next Sunday will feature
The Old Rugged Cross, a rare bird, methinks.
(I presume you meant to say that “The Gospels for All Christians” was edited by Richard Bauckham noy Richard Hays.)
And yet in describing the growing church in Acts, Luke concentrates on charismatic leaders such as Peter, Paul etc.
Is not Acts of the Apostles, a different author and genre and
Corinthians is a pastoral letter to first generation believers by one apostle.