Gnōmē or not Gnōmē.

Wednesday of Week 23 in Ordinary Time

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Luke 6:20-26 (best to extend it to v35)

This pericope from 1 Corinthians is taken from Paul’s long treatise on freedom. (6:12-10:23)  Paul is careful to distinguish his opinion (as important as it is) from that of the Lord.  His advice here is gnōmē, and while it has a certain stick-to-itiveness[1], it is not a command of the Lord. I can admire this relative humility;)

Paul has a strong eschatological conviction, the ‘time is growing short.’ ROM 13:11-12 There are problems in Corinth.  We don’t get to know what they are exactly but only Paul’s response to them.  How do I read Paul here? 

This section from the Lucan Sermon on the Plain is of a different sort.  Not gnōmē. 

Compared to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, Luke’s is slim and focused.  It emphasizes a broad ethics. And of course Luke has the added ‘woes.’ The blessings and woes continue Luke’s pattern of reversal which flows from the rejection of Jesus (God’s beloved Son) by the leaders.

I feel addressed by this text.  I may even feel a bit un-dressed. 

You!  Yes, you!  

Reading through v35, it becomes clear that this ethic is so much more than the Golden Rule.  Don’t just do as you would have another (a human being) do for you.  No!  Do as God would do! 

So, if I am receiving my consolation now, and if my belly is full, and if am quick to laugh and praised by many, then I am especially vulnerable to seduction.  Resistance needs prayer.  And action.

The reward for doing as God would do:  the reality of being ‘children of the Most High’ who can imitate in the world the kindness of God toward the world.[2]

PS Related to Luke's Beatitudes I came across this diagram (freelyreceive.org) which I found very interesting:

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[1] Raymond F. Collins, First Corinthians, Sacra Pagina, Volume 7, p 289.

[2] Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke, Sacra Pagina, Volume 3, p 112.