by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Unlike the Church at Thessalonica, Paul was not the original founder of the Church in Collosae. It was probably Epaphas, whom Paul mentions who deserves that credit; but perhaps it is at his urging that Paul writes this letter to address some confusion over doctrines being misinterpreted in the community.

Paul’s ministry takes on the form of a letter but also of a liturgy. He continues: We have been praying for you unceasingly and asking that you attain full knowledge of God’s will through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight.

Both wisdom, and intellect enlightened by grace and insight, an inspiration nuance or revelation are gifts from God and not of man’s capability to develop. But for God all things are possible, and for the one who is cooperative with grace, God is able to accomplish everything.

In yesterday’s pericope Paul used was probably a common known hymn in the early Church to demonstrate the centrality of Christ, of God’s full revelation in contrast to some erroneous beliefs spreading through the community.

Today it would surely seem strange to us to think of angels or humans as being equal or superior to Jesus. But Paul responded with an emphatic No! Christ has existed before all else and together with the Father and the Holy Spirit is the cause of all creation.

Humility is the virtue by which we recognize the primacy and Lordship of God. The original sin was to usurp that primacy and to make ourselves equal to God. It may have been original to Adam and Eve but in one form or another it is a sin to which all of us at least one time succumb.

Jesus made it perfectly clear that there is no sin except against the Holy Spirit, an obtuse spirit, that it closes itself off, rendering it impossible for forgiveness.

Sin is not something to take lightly. Paul tells us today: It alienates us from God, makes us enemies, it nourishes hostility in our hearts bearing fruit in evil deeds, (perhaps evident in the way we drive our cars without courtesy).

To grasp the significance of this alienation we might use a parable: Imagine yourself living on an island connected to the mainland by a single bridge (Remember Chappaquiddick). You are completely dependent on that bridge as your lifeline for supplies.