I was torn between reflecting on the Gospel or on the Second Reading. Both are lovely, and both are very central to our faith and our life journey. Then while looking out the window at the swirling snowflakes, the question occurred to me: do we know as much about ourselves as we know about Jesus? So that question tilted me to the Second Reading.
In that reading, Paul uses the analogy of parts of the body working together to make up the whole. No one part is more important than the other; all parts have a role to play. Now most folks would point to public roles such as priest, nun, married person, parish and liturgical ministers, volunteers, etc. and say those are the important roles. Yes, they are, but there’s more.
Even though fulfilling our role is important and necessary, we’re more than just a role. We’re more than just a bit player in the drama of salvation history. We’re more than what we do for a living. My question is this: What is the unique personal quality that you bring to the Body of Christ, the community of people with whom you live, work, pray and play?
I am, for example, a priest. OK, fine. But there’s tens of thousands of priests around the world. There’s hundreds of C.S.C. priests. There’s many priests who have served as chaplains to the St. Paul’s retirement community, and many priests who write. So what makes me different?
I think what I bring to the table is a combination of a sense of humor and of earthiness (maybe too much so sometimes!). That’s my contribution to the well-being and good functioning of Body of Christ. I have a good friend who is an extraordinary listener … this person has an openness and a hospitality that just draws people in, and they naturally start speaking of their problems and difficulties. I could give more examples, but maybe you get the drift. That’s my question for your refection: what is your unique personal quality?
Much love…many prayers for you and yours!
Fr. Herb, C.S.C.
