Articles by Thomas Smith
Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit, Part II
Jan 12, 2009 / 00:00 amAs I mentioned before the holidays, the Fruit of the Spirit matures in us to the degree that we are connected to Christ and cooperating with the Holy Spirit. This organic relationship at the heart of our sanctification (transforming us into Christ) is closely connected to the process of salvation/justification. It too, is a gift given at baptism.
Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit, Part I
Dec 15, 2008 / 00:00 amSeveral weeks ago, we reflected on the image of God as a Joyful Gardener in the Old Testament. The image didn’t end there, but had a kind of fulfillment one singular Sunday morning, when Christ burst forth from the tomb with all the brilliance of a bridegroom. According to the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the “first-fruits of the Resurrection,” but didn’t recognize her Lord immediately. Maybe she was blinded by swollen eyes, or something more mysterious, but she supposed the figure at her side “to be the gardener” (John 20:15). I think Jesus took the guise of a gardener, rather than Mary simply being confused.
Eden - Old and New
Dec 8, 2008 / 00:00 amBefore we can explore the nine characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit, we must set them in their larger biblical context.
Something must die
Dec 8, 2008 / 00:00 amAs I mentioned last week, the Bible is full of agricultural images, beginning with God as a joyful Gardener. Paul picks up similar metaphors to describe our life in Christ.
Galatians 1:1-10
Nov 1, 2008 / 00:00 amLast week, I gave you the context for Galatians before we enter the actual content of the letter. I also shared a simple outline of Paul’s letter. I want to offer two more ways to structure the letter. Remember, this information is also shared in a podcast for those of you who prefer listening to reading.
Introduction to Galatians
Oct 27, 2008 / 00:00 amDuring this Jubilee Year of St. Paul, I thought it might be helpful to spend some time in the Pauline Epistles. I decided to begin with Galatians for several reasons:
A Fervent Follower of his Rabbi
Oct 20, 2008 / 00:00 amThis week we reflect on the final aspect of St. Paul’s identity, the last of these “worlds,” one that would simultaneously eclipse and illuminate the other two - his Jewish roots and Greco-Roman milieu. It is St. Paul as a fervent follower of his rabbi, Jesus.
Roman Citizen in a Greek-influenced Culture
Oct 13, 2008 / 00:00 amOver the last few weeks we have been exploring the trinity of personality that is the remarkable figure of St. Paul. Last time we looked at the first of the three: Paul as a Pharisee of Pharisees. We explored how being a Pharisee was not something radically opposed to the Gospel, but rather most Pharisees shared many ideas and principles in common with the followers of the Way, and St. Paul continued to call himself a Pharisee decades after becoming a follower of Christ. Pharisees were not a monolythic group in the New Testament - some were terrible hypocrites, while others recognized and followed Jesus (like Nicodemus).
A Pharisee of Pharisees
Sep 29, 2008 / 00:00 amAs I mentioned in an earlier post, we cannot hope to understand St. Paul without first exploring his B.C. (before Christ) timeline. He was a tri-part person - a Jew (from the tribe of Benjamin and a member of the Pharisee movement), a Roman citizen raised in a Hellenized (Greek) culture, and a disciple of his Resurrected Rabbi, Jesus.
A Trinity of Identity
Sep 1, 2008 / 00:00 amAfter reviewing his own impressive personal history and credentials with the Philippians, Paul concluded, “Whatever [advantage] I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ...[indeed] I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as [rubbish]” (Phil. 3:7-8). For St. Paul, the incomparable worth of “knowing Christ Jesus” put all his earthly accomplishments and pedigrees into perspective.
Seven Ways to be a Paul-bearer, Part VII
Aug 18, 2008 / 00:00 amThe seventh way to be a Paul-bearer during this Jubilee Year is to persevere to the end. Again, our model is St. Paul.
Seven Ways to be a Paul-bearer, Part VI
Aug 11, 2008 / 00:00 amThe sixth way to be a Paul-bearer this Jubilee Year is to live a life marked by an attitude of thanksgiving. St. Paul was formed by the Old Testament scriptures which were infused with a spirit of thanksgiving.
Seven Ways to be a Paul-Bearer, Part V
Aug 6, 2008 / 00:00 amThe fifth way to be a Paul-bearer during this year is to re-commit ourselves to the poor. In addition to preaching the Gospel, St. Paul made it his mission to also gather alms for the poor, especially those in Jerusalem. Like Christ, he desired to feed people both spiritually and physically. By the way, the practice of sending alms to Jerusalem (Rom. 15:26), has endured until our day. Every U.S. parish takes up a yearly collection for the Church in Jerusalem. I have met with the Patriarch of Jerusalem on several occasions, and I have seen first hand the great need of the Catholics in Israel. They are committed to keep a Christian presence there, even in the midst of very difficult circumstances. So plan now to give a little something extra to the Jerusalem Church, in honor of the Pauline Jubilee.
Seven Ways to be a Paul-Bearer, Part IV
Jul 28, 2008 / 00:00 amThe fourth way to be a Paul-bearer during this Jubilee Year is to embrace suffering’s redemptive power. This idea, that our sufferings can be united with the sufferings of Christ and effect redemption in our world, is first mentioned in the writings of St. Paul. This is a revolutionary idea - that suffering is not something we avoid at all costs, but rather can be infused with meaning and even give life.
How to be a Paul-Bearer, Part III
Jul 21, 2008 / 00:00 amThe third way to be a Paul-bearer during this Jubilee Year may seem like a very ordinary task, but I promise you it can become a powerful spiritual practice. It is writing letters. Around one-third of the New Testament is letters written by St. Paul and others. Look at the impact these epistles are still having today!
Seven Ways to be a Paul-Bearer, Part II
Jul 14, 2008 / 00:00 amThe second way to be a Paul-Bearer during this Jubilee Year is to “increase your Prophet margins.” This weekend I gave a presentation about the Old Testaments prophets in New Jersey, and one of the most common misunderstandings that people have about the prophets is that their primary role is to simply predict future events. While this may be part of the prophet’s task, St. Paul helps us to discover, in both his words and his works, what the gift of prophesy means for the Church. Pope Benedict’s reflections on St. Paul will add to our understanding, so we will draw from those as well. Based on the Hebrew origins of the word for prophet (nabi), I define a prophet as “one who is called out to speak forth.” With that in mind, let’s look at our role as prophets in the Church today.
Seven Ways to be a Paul-Bearer
Jul 7, 2008 / 00:00 amJust over a week ago, Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated the Jubilee Year of St. Paul and in his homilies and subsequent catechesis at his weekly audience, the Holy Father has encouraged the faithful to imitate St. Paul in several key areas.
Inaugurating the Jubilee Year of St. Paul
Jun 30, 2008 / 00:00 amOn June 28th, The Vigil of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, the Church inaugurated the Jubilee Year of St. Paul announced by Benedict XVI last year.