In accordance with the Scriptures

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

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Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 15:1-9, focus verses 3-4, and St Paul's statement on what was of first importance: that Christ had died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He had truly died, was buried and raised on the 3rd Day in accordance with scriptures (with over 500 eye witness accounts). 

It greatly encourages me that the Gospel I believe in is not some fantasy nor fiction imagined in the minds of the gospel writers, but also aligns with Jewish Laws in Jesus' time on earth where credible witnessing can only be ascertained by the testimonies of 2-3 witnesses. An example from Deuteronomy 19:15 which states: "One witness shall not arise against a man for any sin or guilt that he may commit; according to two witnesses or according to three witnesses a matter shall stand." And this is why many of the apostles chose death than to deny their faith, because they believed that Jesus is the fulfilment of what they had always believed and hoped for: that a Messiah shall come from the House of David. By sharing in His death through martyrdom, they too looked forward to the resurrection glory of our LORD Jesus Christ. This includes St. Stephen, the first martyr in the New Testament, who only moments before his death by stoning, boldly declared to the angry religious crowd who simply blocked their ears and hearts to the freely given witnessing of Christ's first martyr.

In Acts 7:55-56 we read: "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

How about us, as New Testament disciples? How many of us are willing to lay down our earthly treasures, be it our jobs, family or personal commitments? All for the sake of proclaiming Jesus is LORD to a world groping around in spiritual darkness, filled with terror of death, rumours of war, pestilence. How may we too live as people of eternal hope, whose power come from Christ and Christ alone? 

I'll close my short sharing with this beautiful hymn:  "Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me" by CityAlight 

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me – CityAlight 

Verse 1 

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer 

There is no more for heaven now to give

 He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom 

My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace.

Refrain 1 

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus 

For my life is wholly bound to his 

Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine! 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me 

Verse 2

The night is dark but I am not forsaken

 For by my side, the Saviour He will stay 

I labour on in weakness and rejoicing 

For in my need, His power is displayed

Refrain 2 

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me 

Through the deepest valley He will lead 

Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome! 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me 

Verse 3 

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven 

The future sure, the price it has been paid 

For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon 

And He was raised to overthrow the grave 

Refrain 3 

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated

 Jesus now and ever is my plea

Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free! 

et not I, but through Christ in me 

Verse 4 

With every breath I long to follow Jesus

 For He has said that He will bring me home 

And day by day I know He will renew me 

Until I stand with joy before the throne 

Refrain 4 

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus

 All the glory evermore to Him 

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat: 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me! 

Tag 

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat: 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me! 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me! 

Yet not I, but through Christ in me! 

Youtube: https://youtu.be/ZOYsSKhSQbg?si=2WcfZtlZAaoy_M8U
Provided to YouTube by Absolute Label Services
Title: Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me ·
Artist: CityAlight
Published: ℗ 2018 CityAlight, exclusively distributed by Wings Music Group
CCLI: 7121852
Released on: 2018-11-11

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 15:1-9 by Chris Tan

All in Christ | Omnes in Christo

Every rule and every authority and power will pass away. But who stays with Christ has an everlasting life - 1 Cor 15:22.

Are we not alive? Of course we are. However, the Apostle Paul speaks of a deeper spiritual life in Christ. While we believe that all things are sustained through Him, not everyone yet acknowledges or understands this truth. It is a reality that defines our existence here on earth, just as it defines our hope for eternal life in heaven.

In December, we celebrated the mystery of the Nativity; soon, in the Lenten season, we will commemorate the mystery of Christ's death. As Christians, we know that life is stronger than death, yet the struggle between light and darkness, peace and war, continues. Because of this, we reaffirm our devotion to Christ and choose the path of eternal life. We seek neither to live in darkness nor to face death without Him.

Every worldly authority and power will eventually pass away, but those who remain in Christ possess everlasting life. Through Him, we are called to place all things under God’s feet, ensuring the Lord returns to the very center of our lives—above all else and everyone else.

By God’s grace, we are delivered from perpetual fear. We need seek nothing more than the gift of eternal salvation, made possible through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through His grace, we are raised above our sins and weaknesses. Let us, therefore, remain thankful and put our full trust in the Lord. Amen.

Bible Reflection on 1 Cor 15: 20-34 by Fr. Jozef Trzebuniak SVD.

(Listen to podcast here)

Love abides | Caritas manet

And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love – 1 Cor 13:13.

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, in today’s reflection let us focus on one of the greatest attributes given to God and that is love. St. Paul is teaching the Corinthians to love one another because he has convinced himself that God is love. St. Paul encountered God's love when he had the encounter of Jesus on the way to Damascus. Since then he was carried away by the love of God. He changed life forever. Instead of persecuting the followers of Christ he helped to increase the followers of Christ.  St. Paul says that love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not arrogant or rude, rejoices in the truth, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things and love never ends.

It is not only just the experience of Paul that God is love even the other disciples of Jesus. In the first letter of John 4:16 we read “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” It is also the personal experience of each one of us as believers in Jesus. God the Father sending his Son Jesus to save the world was a great act of love. If God doesn’t love us he would not have sent Jesus for us.

Day by day all of us called to grow in God's love. We could grow in God’s love by knowing him better through reading of the Scripture. Love is always expressed in word and in deed. Even the small things that we do in our daily life with great love for God and neighbor will make us better human beings. Let us have faith in God, let us hope in God and let us abide in the love of God. Amen.

Bible Reflection on 1 Cor 13: 1-13 by Fr. George Joseph SVD.

God is among you | Deus in vobis

Truly, God is among you - 1 Corinthians 14:25

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Short sentence, yet meaningful. God affirms His presence in every situation. Verse 21 describes the stubbornness of the hearts of those who do not believe in God. God's grace works in ways that are difficult for us to grasp and understand. Speaking in different tongues/different languages, will be a sign for those who lack faith. How can a language unknown to humans be spoken in chaos, yet easily understood by believers? God's work is truly powerful, as long as we believe that God is always among us in any difficult situation. My own experiment in some difficult moments when I can't do anything, that's the time to remember God, fully surrender and believe in His strengthening presence, suddenly feel a new strength just appear in my conscience. 

Faith in God provides a way out of all kinds of life's chaos.  Just as in relationships with those we love most in this world that require mutual trust, so too God expects trust from us His people. Believing even just a little that God is powerful, that God is always there for us His people whenever and wherever, then all difficult situations could be overcome. 

Sometimes we think too far and dig into God's secrets until finally we don't find the answer and may even apostatize. Let God's secrets only be understood and believed in, not to be explored until we reach conclusions beyond our reach and then even deny the faith that has grown. Let God's spirit work on us beyond our excessive curiosity about the secrets of Divine power. God bless us.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 14: 20-40 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

(Listen to podcast here)

The Spirit | Spiritus

"So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church" - 1 Cor 14:12

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In the first half of chapter 14 of the First Letter to Corinthians, Paul affirms the Corinthians’ desire for spiritual gifts. Yet he reshapes their understanding of what those gifts are for. Spiritual gifts are never given simply for personal enrichment or private satisfaction; they are entrusted to believers for the sake of others. 

The first words of this chapter are "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts" (1 Cor 14:1). Love comes first. Before speaking about gifts, abilities, or spiritual experiences, Paul names love as the path that must guide them all.  By calls for "pursuing love" and “striving to excel in building up the church”, Paul sets the standard by which all spiritual eagerness must be judged.

These verses challenge the tendency to view spiritual growth as something we accumulate for ourselves, solely for our own sake or satisfaction. Gifts such as speaking, teaching, discernment, or leadership are not spiritual possessions to be just cumulated or enjoyed by ourselves. Rather, they are responsibilities—means by which God’s grace reaches the wider community. With them, we are to serve and strenghten others.

Paul thus calls to a spirituality shaped by love and service. What is important is not how gifted we appear, but how much our gifts help others grow in faith, find encouragement, and experience God’s presence. 

In this way, this passage invites us to reflect on our own spiritual desires. Are we pursuing growth primarily for ourselves, or are we seeking to become more capable of loving others? Paul reminds us that authentic faith and love are not inward- but outward-facing. 

We are to seek growth not just for ourselves, but so that our lives may become instruments through which God strengthens others. To pursue love is to seek gifts that help others flourish and to allow God’s grace to flow through us. 

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 by Agata Wierzbowska

(Listen to podcast here)

Body of Christ | Corpus Christi

“Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.” - 1 Corinthians 12:27

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The apostle Paul’s words remind us today of a very powerful truth: to belong to Christ is not just to believe in Him, but to be united with Him. This truth becomes even more important when we remember that Christ is risen and that those who belong to Him are raised with Him. Scripture tells us, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1). Because we are members of His body, Christ’s resurrection is not distant from us, it defines who we are, how we live our lives and the hope we have for our future.

A body shares one life. Christ is the head, and we are the members. The life that flows through us is the resurrection life of Jesus: a life that has conquered sin, death, and despair. The work of redemption is finished and the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient. This means that we should not live in fear or division, but in hope and unity. 

Being raised with Christ also calls us to live differently. We are no longer living by our old ways. We are called to show the life of the risen Christ in how we speak, serve, forgive, and care for one another. When the world looks at us, it should see evidence that Jesus is alive.

Let us remember who we are: the body of Christ, alive in Him and raised with Him. Let us put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as our all-sufficient Saviour.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 12: 21 - 31 by Hanne

(Listen to podcast here)

In uno Spiritu | In one Spirit

In one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (1 Cor 12:13).

A month ago we lost a beloved member of our community. Her name was Desi, and we all miss her deeply. As one body, we remain united with Desi. Now she lives in the heavenly Kingdom among the saints in glory. We continue to pray for her, and she prays for us. This is the gift of the communion of saints to which we belong.

We believe that our beloved sister Desi is with Christ, for Christ lived in her body when she walked among us on earth. The same was true of the Holy Spirit dwelling within her. For "in one Spirit we were all baptized" as Christians. It does not matter that we have different languages and colors of skin. What matters is that we have all been made to drink of one Holy Spirit. We have various gifts and ministries in our community: one of us edits our blog, another helps organize the schedule, another prepares our podcasts, and some write reflections.

We are all needed to preach the Good News in the world. You cannot say that you are not needed in the community of the Church. You can always engage more fully to share the Gospel with your brothers and sisters. Your reflection encourages others to grow in Christian faith and understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Your personal story helps many others live their lives. Through your eyes, we can see much more. Through your ears, we can hear much more.

Our heavenly Father arranged our Bible Sharing Group and sent the Holy Spirit to gather us together. I could not do this work alone as a single member. Therefore, I am thankful for every person in our group. I especially pray for our sister Desi, who was present at the beginning of our spiritual community where "there are many parts, yet one body" (v. 20). Amen.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 by Józef Trzebuniak SVD.

(Listen to podcast here)

Gratiae | Gifts

Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. - 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

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Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, focus verses 4-6 & 11 and my faith journey. As a young convert, I used to be upset that I couldn't hear God's voice and didn't receive the Gift of Tongues. With a wrong theology that this Gift was the one and only greatest gift that was given to believers to pray over one another. However, as I progressed in my faith journey, I slowly began to comprehend that the Gift of Tongues was only one of many Gifts that the Holy Spirit imparts unto believers. The ultimate aim of these gifts were to be used in the service of others and God was the One who solely determined what and when each person shall receive his/her Gift(s) of the Holy Spirit. 

Through the process of waiting upon Him, I've also learned that the greatest gift is the Gift of Love, my own love for God and being able to share His love with others around me. Each of the Holy Spirit's Gift was a means to show God's love to His Body, whether it's in the healing, prophetic, teaching or hospitality ministries. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we read: "So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."  Also as St Paul wrote in Romans 5:8 - But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

I'll close my short sharing with this beautiful worship song about God's Love:  "How He Loves Us" 

How He Loves Us – Kim Walker-Smith 

Verse 1 

He is jealous for me 

Loves like a hurricane 

I am a tree bending beneath 

The weight of His wind and mercy 

When all of a sudden 

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

And I realize just how beautiful You are

And how great Your affections are for me 

Chorus 

And oh how He loves us 

Oh, oh how He loves us 

How He loves us 

Pre-Chorus 

And He is jealous for me 

Loves like a hurricane 

I am a tree bending beneath 

The weight of His wind and mercy 

When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory 

And I realize just how beautiful You are 

And how great Your affections are for me 

Chorus 

And oh how He loves us 

Oh, oh how He loves us 

How He loves us 

Post-Chorus 

Yeah, He loves us 

Oh, how He loves us 

Oh, how He loves us 

Oh, how He love 

Bridge 

And we are His portion 

And He is our prize 

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes 

If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking 

When heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss 

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest 

I don't have time to maintain these regrets 

When I think about the way that He loves us 

(Repeat Chorus x3)

Link: Youtube: https://youtu.be/XjgSMNYy2RI?si=Qwb6KInOLqIDdRgi
Title: How He Loves Us

Singer: Kim Walker 

Writers: John Mark McMillan/David Crowder 

Copyright: 2005 Integrity's Hosanna!

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 by Chris Tan