“No one has all the gifts, all have at least one gift, and some have two or more. - We are dependent on each other."

“All God's gifts are good, but they are not all the same. As I often say to people who tell me that they would like to serve the poor as I do, "What I can do, you cannot. What you can do, I cannot. But together we can do something beautiful for God." – Mother Teresa

(Scripture Text: 1 COR 12:12-14, 27-31A)

Brothers and sisters:
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 all 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.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

Although we all come from different backgrounds and were all raised in different households, we all come together as one body, the Body of Christ.

Today’s reading focuses in on the idea that the body is made of many. It does not just contain one, but contains a large group. In a sense, the body is made up of all people and God, who made all people is the head of that body. We are all different, yet we come together in Christ. Through Christ, we are unified as one in one body. We are all made in the image of God, and we all share being present with and in Christ.

A word that comes to mind when reflecting on this reading is community. A community supports every member and picks people up when they are feeling down. This community takes all of the skills and personalities of all of its members and uses it to make up the functional and successful group. The body, although often viewed as one, is made of people who have different qualities, different struggles, and different successes. Through the Body, we can all experience God’s love through each other’s words and actions.

Sometimes I struggle with the idea of how can I, as a part of this body, live up to Jesus’ expectations in communion with my peers? Sometimes I fail to look at people through the eyes of Christ!

When all know their position on the team, their job in the company, and their part in Christ's body, then the Lord can "call a play," and we will be able to execute it well because we know each person's part.

Find yourself; know yourself; love yourself; be yourself – A child of God!