“Now You Are Christ’s Body” by Melanie Rigney (@melanierigney) #CatholicTwitter

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“Now You Are Christ’s Body” by Melanie Rigney

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Then, Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: "Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep"—for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:9-10)

Your works, Lord, are Spirit and life. (John 6:63c)

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? (1 Corinthians 12:27-30)

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:16-21)

Piety

Lord, my deeds are less than mighty, but they are what You desire of me. Help me to keep my eyes on You, rather than comparing my load with those of another.

Study

I had dinner recently with a couple of friends, and one of them said she doesn’t know where I get the energy to do all I do—a full-time job; writing, editing, and speaking on the side; owning a women’s conference; and, of course, following the Caps.

I had to shake my head in amazement. I don’t know where she gets the energy to do all she does: a demanding more-than-full-time job; a wife, mother, and grandmother; weekly prayer group host; and more. Same goes for our other friend—a full-time job, wife, caregiver to a beloved relative, and a robust service ministry in so many other ways.

That’s the thing, isn’t it? We are many parts in one body. Being those parts is seldom easy, even with the Lord’s love and grace. But when you think about it, really think about it, would you want to take on anyone else’s part? I would doubt it if you knew everything that is involved in what he or she does to bring souls to the Kingdom. Our parts are unique, just as we are. But working together and honoring each other’s parts, we please Him and in ways large and small, we change the world.

Action

Say thank you to someone whose part is done beautifully, but quietly. Few others may be doing so.