Clique off! Christ on!

St. Paul's admonition to the church in Corinth in today's first reading (1 Corinthians 3:1-9) resonates strongly in our churches, congregations and communities today (including our cyber-communities).

Alas, we can be so cliquish
and personality driven
rather than catholic
and Christ-centered.

While there is jealousy and rivalry among you,
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?

What is Apollos, after all,
and what is Paul?

Ministers through whom you became believers,
just as the Lord assigned each one.

I planted,
Apollos watered,
but God caused the growth.

Therefore,
neither the one who plants
nor the one who waters
is anything,
but only God,
who causes the growth.

He who plants
and he who waters
are one,
and each will receive wages
in proportion to his labor.

For we are God's co-workers;
you are God's field,
God's building.