Daily Readings - Tue Sep 17 2024
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
In today's readings, we encounter powerful reminders of our unity in Christ and the transformative power of compassion. The first reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes that the Church is one body with many parts, each gifted differently but equally essential. Paul reminds us that these gifts are not for personal glory but for the common good, urging us to strive for the greater gifts that build up the community. This passage calls us to recognize our unique roles within the body of Christ and to use our talents selflessly for the benefit of all.
The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid scene of Jesus' compassion. As He encounters a widow mourning her only son, He is moved by her sorrow and performs a miracle, restoring life to her child. This act not only demonstrates Jesus' divine authority but also reveals His deep empathy for those suffering. The crowd's reaction—fear and glorification of God—reminds us that God's power is often revealed in moments of human vulnerability. This passage invites us to trust in God's providence, even in the face of death and loss, and to approach life with the same compassion Jesus showed.
Together, these readings challenge us to live as the body of Christ, valuing our diversity and using our gifts to serve others. They remind us that our faith is not just about individual holiness but about building up the community and bringing hope to those around us. Let us ask ourselves: How am I using my gifts to serve others? How can I show the same compassion Jesus showed to the widow? May we strive to live as one body, united in love and service, and may we trust in God's power to bring life out of death.