lectionary # 438. Scripture reflection for Tuesday of 23 week, Sept.9,2008

Scripture: Tuesday of 23rd week. I Cor.6:1-11. Psalm 149:1-2,3-4,5-6,9.
Luke 6:12-19. Lectionary # 438:

Paul, in chapter six of I Corinthians, is calling the community to
realize its dignity and the dignity of each person within the community.
The exhortation is meant also for us and we listen attentively to Paul as
he says, "...you have been washed,consecrated,justified in the name of Our
Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." This is a reference to
our baptism and anointing or confirming commitment. We can see a
trinitarian seal within those words which show us how much God loves us and
respects our dignity as members of the family of God in which we are
brothers and sisters to one another. Through these sacred gifts from God
we now belong to the kingdom or realm of God. We are told by another saint,
"Christian, remember your dignity."
The Psalm and its response again is helpful and we should try to
recall it throughout the day for it reminds us of our dignity before God
for: "The Lord takes delight in his people...this is the glory of all the
faithful.",
In the Gospel Jesus goes to a mountain in order to pray; then he
calls by name his apostles and prepares them to be his ambassadors who will
continue to preach, teach, and heal as he is doing. Upon coming down from
the mountain he heals the people, cures them of their infirmities, and
cleanses them in order to make them aware of the Father's love for them.
Thus their dignity consists in being members of those who experience the
realm and kingdom of God within themselves and through Jesus.
This is our Christian story and it is our call. We are named and
confirmed in our name at baptism and anointed with the Spirit. Our
baptismal response is to carry out the mission of Jesus in the world just
as the apostles did. This is a reminder of our own dignity before God and
our glory as sons and daughters of the Lord. The glory of God consists in
our being fully alive and aware of our dignity and to share this with
others, making them aware of their dignity. Amen.