The first reading from the Old Testament and the Gospel are very
similar in that a passage from Scripture is read and words of fulfillment of God’s
promises are explained to those who are present.
As the reading from Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) points
out, we are now the Body of Christ on earth. This passage is quite detailed, as
Paul breaks down exactly what he means by the description.
I was a little disappointed when the lector opted to read
the abbreviated version of the passage, leaving out the details that make the description
of the Body of Christ so easy to understand that even a child can get it. What made the decision even more disappointing
to me is that the mass today was the kickoff for Catholic Schools Week, and a
lot of the teachers and students were in attendance. I’m sure that the more detailed reading would
have been appreciated by the students.
Basically, what Paul is telling the Corinthians—and us—is that
we are all—every one of us—important parts of this body! Do not underestimate
yourself. God created you and brought you into the world because you can make a
significant difference. No one else can do what you can do, the way you can do
it, in the plans that he has for making this world a better place.
As if to validate my interpretation, my attention was drawn
to a T-shirt that was worn by a little girl as she walked past me after her mom
received Communion that read “Just Be You…Because No One Else Can!”
Whenever the prayers of others are not answered, whenever the
evil one is allowed to prevail, whenever souls suffer because they have not
heard the good news of salvation in Jesus, it's because the parts of Christ's
earthly body that can do something about it are not doing it. God provides
everything that's needed on earth through us! Jesus continues his ministry on
earth through us!
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