who's who in christ's body
"The body is one and has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body; and so it is with Christ." —1 Corinthians 12:12
If you were on a football team, would you know what position you played? If you work in a company, do you know your job? If you are baptized, you are a member of the body of Christ (see 1 Cor 12:27). Do you know what part of the body you are? Are you an apostle, prophet, teacher, miracle worker, healer, assistant, administrator, one who speaks in tongues, or one who interprets tongues? (1 Cor 12:28-30) There are many other gifts, ministries, and works in the body of Christ (see 1 Cor 12:4-6). Do you know which part you are?
To know each of our parts, we must pray. Usually it is also necessary that we learn what the Lord has taught us through His Church about vocations, charisms, and ministries. We must also obey the Lord to live our vocations to the full and use our charisms fully.
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.
Prayer: Father, I will get off the bench and quit aimlessly wandering around the playing field. I will take my position and do Your will.
Promise: "The dead man sat up and began to speak. Then Jesus gave him back to his mother." —Lk 7:15
Praise: St. Robert asked "Who would not be glad to bear a yoke...that caresses?"
Reference: (For related teaching, order our book Who Am I in Christ? or our audio tape series AV 7A-1, AV 7A-3, AV 7B-1 or our video series starting with V-7A.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 7, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 12, 2002