Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - Tuesday in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a and Luke 7:11-17]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? Doall speak in tongues? Do all interpret? [1 Cor.]
SEPTEMBER 16 ST. CORNELIUS AND ST. CYPRIAN, martyrs
When I am invited to preach a parish mission in a particular place, one of my practices is to go to the website of the parish (if it has one) and see if their Sunday bulletin is available. This tells me a lot about what is going on in the parish. It also will show the list of the staff and various "coordinators," "directors," etc.. In a large urban parish, this list can be a long one! This is a testimony to the pool of talent! In addition, I can look in the sacristy and see the lists of assignments for altar servers, Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors. Along with the priests and deacons and occasional seminarians, the panorama of participation can be amazing. St. Paul provides a great image when he compares the community to the human body and in particular to the Body of Christ!
The problem in the Corinthian community seems to have been one of bickering over who was more important or that some status may have had greater attraction. He will have some words to say about those who "speak in tongues," and their relative importance! In any case, he points out that not everyone can do all of those various functions. Humble acceptance of a particular role and avoidance of "turf" conflicts is essential if a community is to accomplish the task of preaching the gospel. He says earlier in today's passage:"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." It's hard to remember that sometimes in the midst of complicated parochial schedules and events and meetings, but it can make a big difference! AMEN
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