A few years ago there was a book published entitled “The 100 Most Influential People in History.” According to this list Number One was the Prophet Mohammed. The author argued that, while Jesus (#3 on the list) has inspired billions of followers, his movement was dependent on St. Paul to be successful. St. Paul would disagree. He looked on his ministry in continuity with the Jesus movement that preceded him. I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received. Paul might have innovated new ways to spread the message but the message (the tradition) was the same. That is a good lesson for our time. We hand on the tradition we have received but strive to do so in creative and contemporary ways.
