24th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Scripture: I Cor.12:12-14,27-31. Psalm 100:1-5. Luke 7:11-17

I was struck by what Luke has the crowd saying, "They said, GOD HAS VISITED HIS PEOPLE." This is found in Luke 7:16 just after Jesus has brought back to life the only son of a widow who is only identified by the town from which she comes--Naim. I think it is a nice name and probably means "pleasant." I find Luke's word quite consoling for us and Jesus' compassion for the woman even more powerful. The miracle account shows us the love of God working in Jesus who is more than a prophet, and more than a miracle worker. He is, of course, for Christians the Savior which also means the Healer.

Paul in Corinthians is telling us how close God is to us through his Son. We are the body of Christ Jesus, while he is the head. We are the living members of Christ and each of us has a particular role in that body just as the members of our bodies have specific roles. Catholic doctrine calls this the Mystical Body of Christ; Pope Pius XII wrote an encylical on this theological insight of Paul. Since we are all different members, not all are apostles, or prophets. Some are teachers, others preachers, other simple members of the Body of Christ. When we work together for the harmony of the whole body good things happen.

The Psalm for today has a similar message as Paul and Luke. The Responsorial verse of Psalm 100 says, "We are God's people, the sheep of his flock." (v.3). All people are God's people. From time to time we as God's people are able to sense and experience something that is even miraculous in our lives. When that happens through the grace and love of God, we, too, can join in with the people of Naim in Galilee and say, "GOD HAS VISITED HIS PEOPLE." Amen.