"But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you meet together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not." 1 Corinthians 11: 17-22
I believe that Paul is talking about an Agape Meal, a kind of potluck supper that the members of the church ate as part of their weekly, or daily, worship of God. The primary problem was that some were bringing great food, like filet with roasted asparagus tips and hollandaise sauce and a perky bottle of Chateau du Snobby Merlot, but were not sharing it with those who could only bring turkey sandwiches and Kool-aid. This was a problem because it sowed dissension in the church and created enmity between the people of God.
Humans have a tremendous ability to find ways to separate ourselves from each other. There are times when we just don't get along. That being said, but not necessarily endorsed, church is supposed to be the place where all people can come and do the one, most important thing, together: Worship God! Just as the people of Corinth were expected to put aside their petty desires and to share their food equally before God, we are to put aside our differences so that we can share in the celebration of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Remember, folks, it's not about us.
Fr. Michael+
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