“Both-And”, not “Either-Or”
by Fr. David M. Knight
Friday, September 6, 2024
Twenty-Second Week of the Year
Lectionary 435
1 Cor 4:1-5/Lk 5:33-39
1Corinthians 4:1-5: When Paul says, “It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal,” we have to keep in mind the “working formula” for authentic spirituality: to affirm “both-and” rather than “either-or” whenever possible.
If we read Paul according to his intention, what he says is admirable fidelity to the First Commandment: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart... soul, and...might.” No creature’s opinion of us should count for anything; only God’s.
The LORD your God you shall follow; him alone you shall fear... his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast. (Deuteronomy 6:5; 13:4; Matthew 22:37.)
No one else matters. And as a steward of Christ, Paul wasn’t afraid to speak the truth to anybody, including the pope.
When Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Galatians 2:11-14.)
On the other hand, if we think “either-or,” not caring what others think can be arrogance. We do have to take seriously the opinions of the “ordinary magisterium” (teaching office) of the Church, even though, not being definitive or infallible, these do not require an assent of faith. We don’t have to accept them, but we must not ignore them. And those who exercise the magisterium are equally obliged to listen with respect and reverence to the opinions of the theologians and non-professional laity. They must heed the public reaction to their governmental decisions. Not to do so is as much a fault in the governing as disobedience is in the governed. There is no “either-or” choice: the voices of “both” hierarchy “and” laity must be taken seriously. And in listening to both, we must listen even more carefully to the voice of God.
Luke 5:33-39: Jesus even listened to the “scribes and Pharisees,” although their whole direction in religion was so contrary to his that they hated and eventually murdered him. Jesus talked to all and any willing to talk to him unless their insincerity was glaring. (The glaringly insincere were “the chief priests, the scribes and elders” and Herod. See Matthew 21:23-27; 27:11-12; Luke 23:8-9.).
Initiative: Be a steward of the truth; speak out about something that bothers you.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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