I was given an article from “The Wall Street Journal” entitled “A Crisis—But Not of Faith” publish in the Saturday/Sunday edition (September 1-2, 2018). One of the points made in the article was, “Catholics aren’t—or shouldn’t be—at Mass on Sunday because they admire the pope of the day, or their local bishop, or their pastor. Catholics come to Mass on Sunday to hear what we believe to be the Word of God in Scripture and to enter into what we believe to be communion with God because of Jesus Christ.” While the crisis of the scandal is in the forefront at the moment, upon reflection I believe the crisis is deeper. This year many priests were reassigned for the good of the diocese and this disappointed and in some cases enraged congregations. Some feeling as if the bishop was punishing them. Their loyalty to their pastor/priest seemed to feed their dissatisfaction.
Loyalty is a double-edged sword. It can bite the hand that feeds it very easily. Because those who are loyal to you can also be your biggest critics when you disappoint them. Their reaction can be far more vocal and vicious than that of just an ordinary customer or parishioner. To the rabidly loyal person, even the smallest injustice or perceived slight, can take on enormous proportions. Loyal followers are often demanding followers, sometimes in a reasonable way and sometimes in a way beyond all reason.[1]
Paul is challenging the Corinthian community: whose jealousies and rivalries over their loyalty on who they follow. “Are you not of the flesh, and walking according to the manner of man? Whenever someone says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely men?” (1 Cor 3:3-4) They reveal their immaturity both in their self-knowledge and of the judgments about their apostles. They tend to evaluate their leaders by the criteria of human wisdom and to exaggerate their importance.
Paul describes the community as infants in Christ; still unable to eat solid food, for they are still caught up in the flesh. “The flesh” connotes all things not of the spirit: rivalries, divisions, an unforgiving spirit, and everything causing scandal.
Paul presents the roles of himself and Apollos as complimentary, humbly acknowledging they are simply agents of God and warns not overestimate their role in the spiritual life. In other words, don’t confuse the agent for the primary person in the relationship, God.
From the beginning of time, humans have experienced significant challenges in our relationship with God, within and between nations, within our secular and faith communities, between each other, and even within ourselves. Let’s face it, we are weak and sinful human beings. The only one who can save us is God, this relationship exists because Jesus freely offered to take on our weakness and show us the path to salvation by placing our loyalties in the one true God. In his model of true leadership, a key element, essential to Jesus’ life was taking time to be alone and pray. Such self-care while ministering to others is a timeless lesson.
Paul too offers a timeless lesson on true leadership: Those who lead well, point beyond themselves to higher values for the common good. Church leaders are servants of God. Our leadership goal is helping the community grow and prosper in holiness. Further, leaders must foster leadership abilities of others, creating a ripple effect, discipleship for the ongoing growth of the community. Yet, let us be mindful, we are only human, we will mess up. Will a disproportionate loyalty to the agent distract us from the primary person in our faith relationship?
[1] Raving. https://www.ravingconsulting.com/2014/09/loyalty-a-double-edged-sword/
Posted on September 25, 2014 by Amy Ponce
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