September 18th 2018

Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

LECTIONARY
444

FIRST READING
1 COR 12:12-14, 27-31A

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.

PSALM
PS 100:1B-2, 3, 4, 5

Response: We are his people: the sheep of his flock

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.

Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.

For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.

GOSPEL
LK 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
"Do not weep."
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
"A great prophet has arisen in our midst,"
and "God has visited his people."
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.

Daily Reflection

18th September 2018

It’s quite probable that Paul’s imagery, comparing the parts of the human body to Christ’s body – the Church – is influenced by his Damascus encounter. In a blinding light, Paul heard Christ say “…why do you persecute me?” It was clear that Christ was identifying Himself with the Church of believers being victimized. This is why Paul reminds the Corinthians that each of them is a member of Christ’s body, blessed with diverse gifts that complement each other. Hence, each would necessarily need to use their gift for the service of the community. This interdependency naturally facilitates bonding and unity of the body of believers.

The Church is called to follow Christ’s example. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus used the wisdom and power He drew from the Father in the service of the community. He taught with authority, loved selflessly, healed and restored dignity to the weak and marginalized, and raised the dead to life. So much so, that people were moved to comment, ‘God has visited His people’!

Do I use the gifts I have been blessed with, in the service of the community? Do I radiate the presence of God?