First Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm: Psalm 19
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Gospel: Luke 4:14-21
“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your
sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.” Amen.
In the epistle today, Paul introduces the metaphor of the Church as Christ’s One
Body. It is a good metaphor, because we understand the different parts of our body
performing different functions, yet together all the parts make up our whole body. Every
member of the body is important, and makes the body complete and whole. The body
does not function perfectly when one part is infected, laying down on the job, or missing.
Modern science tests this metaphor when we consider those who live without an
appendix, or gall bladder. Due to disease or tragedy, some have lost limbs or sight or
have mechanical body parts. Certainly life can continue in these circumstances, but life
is different as the body has changed. Even the most seemingly ins...