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1 Cor. 12: 12-14, 27-31
Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
The Word of the Lord.
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Imagine waking up one day, discovering you had five thumbs, four legs, and three noses; no fingers, no arms, and no mouth. How miserable your life would be. In fact, you’d soon be dead!
Or, on a communal-level, imagine if the waste collectors didn’t pick up our trash; mail wasn’t delivered; landscapers quit; teachers didn’t teach; priests didn’t preach; police didn’t police; adults didn’t work; and people didn’t pray.
How awful – and, frankly, unlivable – our world would be!
Yet how often do we go through life taking the most basic functions of our body and society for granted?
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It takes all of us to make life work.
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The same is true in the Church.
Every person must contribute to the life and growth of our faith community; otherwise, it’d cease to exist.
This is Saint Paul’s point in our first reading. As he says to the Corinthians:
“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many are one body, so also Christ… Whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, we are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.”
What part of Christ’s body am I? How do I contribute to the life and the mission of the Church?
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Perhaps the Lord is calling us to be grateful today – not only for the contributions that we make to society and to the Church, but also for everyone else who helps to make our world go ‘round.
Share that gratitude with another today.
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Image credits: (1) Science Universe, YouTube (2) Saint Chrysostom’s Church (3) FreePik