We get a real glimpse of the merciful heart of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading from Luke 7. Jesus comes upon a funeral procession of a young man who was the only child of a widow. Out of compassion and without being asked, Jesus raises the man from the dead. Imagine that!
In the first reading today from 1 Corinthians 12, St. Paul says, “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.” He then goes on to explain how different people are given different gifts. All of them must use their gift in service to the body of Christ.
The Church is like any organization. There are many different people with many different talents, personalities and temperaments. Sometimes it can be tough to get along. Invariably there will be people who will annoy us. That is when we really need to seek out their giftedness. We must love them and realize that they are doing their best to make their contribution to the Kingdom of God. As we use our gifts, let us look for the gifts in others.
Father, may we always use the gifts you have given us in service to the Kingdom, as parts of the one body. Help us to encourage others to use their gifts as well. Amen.
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