For the past few weeks in our Epistle (second) reading we’ve been hearing from the opening chapters of the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth.  A recurring theme is that the things of God are essentially opposite to those of the world… for example, its values, wisdom, and ways of succeeding.  This is an ongoing challenge for Christians because we do live in the world, even if we are not of it (or try not to be!) – see John 17:6-19.  Indeed, this area of God’s way’s being different to human ways includes what we looked at last week with regard to giving up our spirit for Christ’s, when it  comes to anger and resentment (Matthew 5:3; 21-26).  It can feel overwhelming.  As if the struggle is entirely up to us. But be encouraged.  It’s not about us anywhere near as much as we think. Christ has already given his baptised brothers and sisters a new future through the ‘foolish message of the cross’ (1 Cor 1:18).  He has made himself our foundation (1 Cor 3:11).  His spirit dwells in our midst (1 Cor 3:16).  And we are of Christ and He is of God (1 Cor 3:23).  That’s the crux of Christ’s Gospel I proclaim today.