| Reflection: |
I have noticed over the years that many airline passengers do not listen to the instructions given, either by a flight attendant or over a monitor, prior to departure. Before a recent flight some passengers slept, some read, and some even talked as the flight attendant gave potentially life-saving information to the attentive minority. One creative flight attendant gained my attention forever by prefacing the instructions with these words: "It is better to know it and not need it than to need it and not know it." These words now come to mind each time I fly and listen, again and again, to instructions designed, in case of an emergency, to save my life and the lives of others on board. My eyes and ears are open.
Paul is giving in the above verse and in those immediately preceding it instructions that the Corinthians need to know if their fledgling congregation is going to get off the ground and thrive. He hopes that his written words will be taken to heart and that the rebellious minority within the church will repent so that he will "not have to be severe" (v.10) when he again visits the congregation. He hopes to find all in order. He hopes to find a congregation at peace with one another. He hopes to find a congregation at peace with God.
Each Sunday morning during worship, my congregation is requested as the "People of God" to "listen for the Word of the Lord." And depending on the particular liturgy used, we sometimes respond, "Our ears are open!" I like to say these words, for they force me to verbalize what should be. I — and my brothers and sisters in Christ — should listen carefully to the life-giving words of the Scripture lessons. They are words that we need to hear and read over and over again — in the best and worst of our times, Sunday after Sunday, day after day. |