From Milk to Solid Food: Growing in Spiritual Maturity

September 4, 2024 - Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

1 Cor 3:1-9

Imagine two children playing peacefully with their toys until a new toy is introduced. Both want it, but only one can have it. The quarrel begins, the stronger gets it, and the smaller one loudly cries, voicing his anger and feeling of being wronged. We understand such behavior; after all, they are infants, immature. But what if instead of two children, we have two nations fighting for material resources, large profits, and greater global influence? Do we also call it immature behavior?

Paul compares the Corinthian believers to infants, calling them "fleshy people." Their community was plagued by division, with immorality unheard of even among the Gentiles, and competition for the most prominent status within the community based on charismatic gifts. The newly established community in Corinth had a long way to go to reach maturity in Christ, and Paul was aware of it. "I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it" (1 Cor. 3:2).

In recent years, theologians have highlighted the distinction between kerygma—the essential message of the Gospel—and catechesis—the comprehensive teaching of our faith. Using Paul's metaphor of "milk" and "solid food," we could compare kerygma to milk and catechesis to solid food. The letter to the Hebrews gives us insights into what was probably considered "milk" to be given to those new to faith: "the elementary doctrine of Christ," "repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment" (Heb. 6:1-2). A few centuries later, the kerygma was encapsulated in the Creed, which became the foundation for those preparing for baptism.

The Creed, however, is just one pillar among the four pillars of our Catechism. The other three are: the sacraments of faith, the life of faith, and prayer in the life of faith (see CCC, 13-17). I could argue that the Corinthians, like many contemporary Christians, had no problem with the Creed but they had a problem with the life of faith. Their constant division, arguments, examples of immoral living, low opinion of Paul, and disregard for the proper celebration of the Eucharist speak for themselves. This "fleshy" and "immature" attitude continued even after Paul's martyrdom. We have a letter from the fourth Pope, Saint Clement, written to the Church in Corinth addressing another instance of division within that community.

Paul ends with another metaphor comparing the Church to God's field and God's building. The work of a farmer aims for fruits, and the work of a builder is to make the building according to the plans of the architect. Paul's objective was to bring the Corinthian Christians to maturity in Christ. He knew that they needed to become, like him, Christlike. But he also knew that it would take time. And that is the lesson that we can take from today's reading. We all need to mature in our faith; we all need to grow from infants to mature Christians. Laozi said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Consider one practical step you can take towards spiritual maturity this week. It could be dedicating more time to prayer, engaging in a Bible study, or serving in a new ministry. May the Lord bless, guide, and support us on this journey. Amen.