Compassion or Comparison?
1 Cor 12: 12-14, 27-31a; Lk 7: 7-11
Each of us is given special gifts from the Holy Spirit, special gifts according to the special calling that we have. If we become aware of the call that we have received, we would also become aware of the gift that is given to us, to live up to that calling. To be prophets, or to be apostles, or to be teachers, or to be leaders, or to be interpreters... these are all different calls which are lived out by means of various tasks that we are called to carry out. But the fundamental purpose of all these, the call underlying all these calls is just one: to be holy and blameless, before God in love (Eph 1:4).
The readings today, taken together, give us this all important Christian lesson for life: be compassionate and do not compare! As St. Paul instructs, to rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15), that is the way we can realise, that we are One People! Comparisons will lead to jealousy and fights which will make us enemies, and we would lose our very identity of being God's people.
The readings today, taken together, give us this all important Christian lesson for life: be compassionate and do not compare! As St. Paul instructs, to rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15), that is the way we can realise, that we are One People! Comparisons will lead to jealousy and fights which will make us enemies, and we would lose our very identity of being God's people.