“You were born to be an original. Don’t die a copy.”

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.  - Dr. Seuss: (1904 –1991: was an American children's author, political cartoonist, & poet)

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.

When you were baptized, you became a member of Christ’s Body. Your Original Sin was washed away, and the virtues of faith, hope and love were put into you, and through those virtues, you were made strong enough to be part of the Body of Christ. You don’t have to be strong enough to be the entire Body of Christ, but God has called you to be just one part of His Body.

It’s God who does the calling, so you have to listen to His voice in your prayer, and ask what part He wants you to play within the Church.

When He answers, you’ll realize that God has called you to something very important. That’s why you’ll continue to need those divine virtues of faith, hope and love that you first received on the day of your baptism. These are the virtues that Saint Paul goes on tomorrow at Mass to preach about. These are the virtues that make us strong enough to follow Christ, to be like Him, to be one part of His Body, the Church.