“Rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength”
Today’s first reading and psalm remind us that God’s commands are not meant to be a burden, but a road map to happiness and joy.
In the second reading, St. Paul continues his theme of last week, expressing diversity of gifts in one unified body. “In one Spirit, we are all baptized into one body.” I cannot find any better words to say this than St. Paul used, so I suggest you reread this passage. (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)
I urge you to enter into this sentiment by joining in our Communion song:
“One bread, one body, one Lord of all,
One cup of blessing which we bless,
And we, though many, throughout the earth,
We are one body in this one Lord.”
In today’s second reading, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that the Spirit gives all of us many spiritual gifts, but we each receive different gifts. Perhaps a good thing to do today after listening to this reading would be to take a mental survey of all the good things that happen in our parish, and then to consider the gifts of all those who make these things happen. Then look at your own gifts and reflect on how you are using them. Is there any gift you have and could further use to bring help, gladness, or joy to others?