Monday, February 7, 2011

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 
                                 - I Corinthians 3:1-7 (NRSV)

"Hi Team"

I can see Paul in yet another one of my reckless bouts of anachronistic fancy coming into the staff meeting at 1st Corinth on Monday saying this. He can read the faces of the ones who are thinking: “I am not your friend and I am most definitely not on your team. You have no idea what I do.” Yes. That's the way of things.

And yes, it would be a fair and righteous rebellion against the high and mighty one, whose faults are so grating, despite his fame - he, so overrated, unfeeling of the minorityreports flying about the congregation, failing to give due regard to the good names of Apollos and other heroes whose mighty spirits rouse noble hearts - he, weak-spoken,as if to children, when what is wanted among the astute of Corinth is a voice in basso profundo that can reach to the back of the house in a whisper likeWhitefield making people weep with “Mesopotamia”. Somebody you can look at without overlooking. Come to without overcoming. . .

. . . if these frowns were of consequence beyond themselves,
or that he presumed this team that he would greet, despite the prospects,
were ever his.

© 2011 Andy Gay