Daily Readings - Tue Sep 18 2018
1 Corinthians
12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.14For the body does not consist of one member but of many.27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?31But earnestly desire the higher gifts.And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Luke
11Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him.12As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her.13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."14Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."15And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.16Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"17And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of the Church and the compassionate heart of Christ. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul reminds us that the Church is the body of Christ, composed of many diverse parts, each with its own unique role and gift. He emphasizes that while not all members have the same function, every part is essential for the well-being of the whole. This teaching calls us to recognize and appreciate the diversity within the Church, while also striving for unity in our shared mission to follow Christ.
In the Gospel, Luke presents us with a powerful story of Jesus’ compassion. Moved by the sorrow of a widow who has lost her only son, Jesus performs a miracle, raising the young man from death. This passage reveals the depth of God’s love and mercy, as well as the transformative power of faith. The crowd’s reaction—glorifying God and recognizing Jesus as a prophet—reminds us that our encounters with God’s mercy should lead us to praise and trust in His providence.
These readings are connected by the theme of life-giving love. Just as Christ’s compassion brought new life to the widow’s son, the Church, as the body of Christ, is called to bring life and hope to the world. Each of us, with our unique gifts and roles, is part of this mission. Let us ask ourselves: How can we, like Christ, show mercy and care for those around us? How can we use our talents to build up the body of Christ and bring light to a world in need? May we strive to live as true members of Christ’s body, united in love and dedicated to serving one another.