Structures find center in Christ

December 28, 2003 -- Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

By Fr. Richard Ver Bust

	Fr. Richard Ver Bust

On this feast of the Holy Family, our scripture readings center on family. Our second reading is from Paul's letter to the Colossians.

Most scholars today do not think Paul wrote the letter, but it stands well within the Pauline tradition and offers insight into early Christian thinking.

Colosae was an important city in ancient times and was known for its production of wool and other textiles. There was a mixed population of local Phrygians, Greeks who had settled in the area, and a significant number of Jews.

It would seem that the growing Christian community was drawn primarily from the non‑Jewish population, as parts of the letter suggest.

The rich theology in the letter helps us understand the early thoughts of these Christians on christology and church. The letter includes an early Christian hymn that centers on the role and meaning of Christ.

The hymn, found in 1:15‑30, emphasizes that Christ is the image of the invisible God. It also teaches that Christ reconciled all things through himself and his work. These ideas are explored in the rest of the letter.

There is a rich sense of church in the letter but unlike earlier Pauline letters it stresses the notion of a universal church rather than the local.

Our reading is taken from the last part of the epistle in which the author applies the various teachings that have been explored. It puts into practice the christology and teachings about church.

A list of vices and virtues follows and it shows the contrast between them. Some suggest that they depict the way a baptized Christian lives by avoiding the vices that hinder growth in Christ, and accepting the virtues which strengthen that growth.

That is followed by a household code which is given as an exhortation for Christian living. The list can be found in other contemporary sources of the time and is part of the popular philosophy taught in Hellenistic circles.

We find lists like it in other Pauline letters. Here we find it has been given a Christian perspective. Three pairs of advice are directed to wives and husbands, children and their parents, and slaves and masters.

These are important structures in any community but they are especially important in a Christian community. The relationships between them contribute to the strength of the community.

Today's customs and relationships differ so they may be hard to appreciate, especially the ways in which one party is subordinate to the other. Just as slavery has changed so too have the relationships between husband and wife.

Still, we learn that the structures of society and faith communities are important, especially when they center in Christ.

(The late Fr. Richard Ver Bust directed the master's program in theology at St. Norbert College, De Pere.)