Both the Old and New Testament readings proclaim the importance of God’s Law
Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 23, 2022): NEH 8:2-4,5-6,8-10; PS 19:8,9,10,15; 1 COR 12:12-30; LK 1:1-4; 4:14-21
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
We also learn how our place in the faith community may vary, but all give glory to God.
The law of God is declared in the reading today from Nehemiah as well as the Gospel from St. Luke which shows Jesus announcing that He is the fulfillment of that law. For St. Paul, who is trying to clarify what it means to live as a Christian to the early faith communities, it is a challenge to help them understand precisely what is asked of them. Many people in Corinth had a far higher opinion of spiritual matters than of the physical world, yet the Apostle used wanted them to see themselves as true members of the body of Christ. “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. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. … Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27).
St. Paul wanted the new converts, most of whom were Gentiles, to grasp that our relationship with Christ is unlike any other. Through baptism, we join with Him and with each other as well. However, we have our own place and must not let pride or envy or anything else prevent us from loving and respecting others and what God asks of them. Each one of us has a real contribution to make. We hear about apostles, prophets, teachers, healers, administrators, and others. All are necessary and should be valued. As Christians, we need to support one another and God’s unique plan for each of us. This is how we contribute to the Church that Christ established. This is how we spread the Good News to others. This is how we love God and our neighbors. And this is as true and essential in the 21st century as it was in the 1st century.
Suggested missionary action: Let us consider the role Christ wants us to play in His Church and just how vital it is to support others in their roles too. Let us pray for the Church and for our individual parishes and dioceses, asking His guidance for all.