Brothers and sisters, rejoice.
Mend your ways, encourage one another,
agree with one another, live in peace,
and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11

Saint Paul, in his second letter to the Christian followers in Corinth, urges goodwill and harmony among all who lived in that economically significant ancient city. Two ports near Corinth made it a hub not only for commerce but also for the culture of the day. Many gathered there, including people of different religious beliefs and customs. Even among the followers of Christ, tempers sometimes flared, as proponents of differing perspectives were prone to argument and dispute. Paul was concerned that these tensions could cause despair and fracture the new church.

His message is well summarized in the passage above from today’s second reading. On one level, you could easily dismiss his words as a simple, even trite, “let’s all just get along” appeal.

But let’s consider those simple words as a message not only to the ancient world, but also to those of us living in modern times. I believe the implications of this directive are anything but simple. I believe it is a calling: a calling to encourage.

We are asked to mend our ways. To encourage one another. And to live in peace.

Why? So that the love and peace of God may find a home within us – not as some kind of transactional reward for our good choices, but because love and peace take root and grow in places of goodwill and harmony. Paul understood what Corinth needed. And he understands what we need.

So… what if you and I are actually being called to a ministry of encouragement – a ministry of reaching out not only to those who are like-minded, but to everyone else as well? What if you and I are being called to lift up even those for whom we feel no real sense of goodwill or harmony? What if you and I are being called not merely to tolerate, but to encourage instead?

Peacemaking begins with encouragement.

Each part of Paul’s “simple” statement is an act of discipleship. “Mend your ways” reminds us that conversion is ongoing. “Encourage one another” calls us to be a people who choose compassion first when confronting others. “Agree with one another” is not about uniformity; rather, it suggests that becoming a people of communion extends even to those beyond our present community. And “live in peace” is both gift and responsibility.

Paul is inviting the Corinthians – and you and me – into a way of life where joy is chosen, relationships are mended, unity is actively pursued, peace becomes a daily practice, and encouragement is ministry itself.

Let’s remember that…

Building each other up requires a ministry of attention, and people flourish when they are truly seen.

Building each other up is a ministry of naming grace, of noting the gifts we see in each other.

Building each other up is a ministry of strengthening that which is weak.

Building each other up is a shared responsibility.

And finally, building each other up is a ministry that helps reveal God’s presence. 

Paul invites us into a ministry of encouragement, a ministry of building each other up, and thus a ministry of building the City of God.