Most of us are familiar with I Corinthians 13 and its verses about love. The chapter is a part of a whole section in which Paul speaks of gifts, of spiritual gifts. Today's reading is from the 14th chapter.
Some had developed the notion that certain expressions of God's presence in their lives was "better" than the expressions seen in the lives of others. Paul wishes to correct this. He challenges their arrogance.
One of the examples of this in Paul's day was speaking in tongues. Paul seems to have this gift. He says that he speaks in tongues more than any of his readers. But Paul realizes that speaking in tongues, while edifying for the person, does nothing to aid others. Without an interpretation, no one knows what is being said.
Finally, he concludes, "I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue."
We can be prideful of the gifts we have received, and find ways to show them off to others. Or, we can use the gifts as a means to aid and assist others.
Paul is careful not to set up a hierarchy among gifts, but he does set up a preference for how gifts are used. Gifts, abilities, a strong faith - all of these provide a means by which we are able to assist others. And this is what Paul says we are to do.
We live in a world with an over-blown sense of individualism. Living in such a world, it is difficult to retain the mind of Christ. It is an uphill battle to return to Jesus' instruction about loving our neighbor. But return we must. We have been claimed by God and God's hope for us is that we will make known to others the immeasurable depth of his love for us.
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