Notice the division that is described by St. Paul in the first reading from today's Mass:
When you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
He says that when the Christians in Corinth came together, it was "for the worse". It appears that they came together only to fight. Maybe that was not the actual intent that any of them had in their gatherings (whether he is specifically speaking about the Mass, or some other fellowship setting is not completely clear), but it seems it is what did happen.
Division is never, in itself, a good thing. Whenever people "split up" there is always some sin involved in at least one of the parties. In today's readings for the Daily Office (in the form that I use in the Ordinariate) it talks about Paul and Barnabas parting ways over a disagreement. It is portrayed lightly, but not as a good thing. The party that was right is not named, it is merely said that they disagreed. Sometimes, it is difficult to see the right side in an issue because both "sides" seem to have a good point (that may be the case between Paul and Barnabas). Yet, it is never healthy to sow discord.
When we think about the great divisions that are beginning to occur today it can be very confusing. Some want an investigation into Bishops who are accused of cover-ups, others (like Pope Francis and the other Bishops who have been accused) do not, and we have to ask, is there any good that can come from even something as bad as a division in the Church? St. Paul says there is at least one good thing. When divisions happen, the Apostle says that "those who are genuine among you may be recognized". In other words, the truth will come out. As sad as divisions are, they do help to make the truth clear; at least eventually. It may take time for the truth to be known, but it will eventually be revealed.
So then, let us at this time pray for truth. Even if that truth is something that we do not want to hear. Even if that truth is going to make us uncomfortable. We should always want the truth to come out, so that our Lord Jesus, Who is Truth Itself, will be glorified in what we are doing. This also means that we need to be praying that God would help us to be ready to hear the truth, and that is much harder. Are you really ready to hear the truth? At all times? Do you ask God to help you remain open to truth and closed to lies? If not, it is definitely time to do so.
