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Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time 1 Corinthians 4:1–5
The apostles were not founders of a new school of thought.
They were not philosophers with followers and branches.
They were servants of Christ.
Saint Paul says:
People should regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
This is important.
Paul and Apollos were not owners of the Gospel.
They were not owners of the Church.
They were not owners of God’s grace.
They were servants.
They were stewards.
A steward receives something that does not belong to him.
He must care for it.
He must give it faithfully.
This is how Paul understood his ministry.
He was entrusted with the mysteries of God.
The word mystery later became connected with the sacraments.
And the Church still lives from these mysteries.
In Baptism, we receive new life in Christ.
We become children of God and temples of the Holy Spirit.
In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens us for mission.
In the Eucharist, Christ gives us His Body and Blood.
In Reconciliation, sins committed after Baptism are forgiven.
In the Anointing of the Sick, the Lord gives strength, peace, and courage in illness and old age.
In Holy Orders, Christ continues to shepherd His Church.
In Matrimony, the love of husband and wife becomes a sign of the love between Christ and His Church.
These are not human inventions.
They are the mysteries of God.
And the Church is called to administer them faithfully.
That is why Paul says:
What is required of stewards is that they be found faithful.
Not impressive.
Not popular.
Not admired by everyone.
Faithful.
Then Paul turns to another problem.
The Corinthians liked to compare.
Paul or Apollos.
This preacher or that preacher.
This leader or that leader.
Paul refuses this game.
He says that human judgment is not the final word.
He does not even make himself the judge of his own life.
The Lord is the judge.
When He comes, He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness.
He will reveal the motives of the heart.
This is both serious and consoling.
Serious, because God sees deeper than appearances.
Consoling, because God also sees hidden fidelity, quiet service, and silent love.
So today, let us stop comparing shepherds with shepherds, and ourselves with others.
Let us ask for one grace:
to be faithful.
Faithful to Christ.
Faithful to the Church.
Faithful to the mysteries entrusted to us.
Then, when the Lord comes, each one will receive praise from God.
Biblical Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition,
copyright © 1989, 1993
the Division of Christian Education of the National Council
of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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© 2025 Krakus.
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