Tuesday, March 20: Kathryn Ballinger

1 Corinthians 11:17-34. For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you.

It is always a bit dangerous to read a passage of scripture out of context. In the following verses, Paul goes on to say he partly believes it, “for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” Interesting! And at the beginning of the chapter, he instructs the church at Corinth to “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

In February’s “Come to the Quiet” meditation group, we reflected on the classic “Imitation of Christ” written by the 14C monk Thomas a Kempis. It is second only to the Bible as being the most read book. Here is a passage that seems relevant and reflects Thomas’s wisdom.

“Until God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself and in others. Consider it better thus—perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly.”

“If, after being admonished once or twice, a person does not amend, do not argue with him but commit the whole matter to God that His will and honor may be furthered in all His servants, for God knows well how to turn evil to good. Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure.”

“If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God’s sake? But God has so ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another’s burdens, for there is no man without fault, no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself nor wise enough. Hence we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity—adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.”

Lent gives us the opportunity to reflect on our lives and relationships, remembering we are all part of the body of Christ.

— Kathryn Ballinger