24th Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Tuesday 17th September 2024

“God has visited His people!” (Lk 7:16) The people exclaimed when they witnessed Jesus raising the only son of a widow. It happened at the gate nearing the town of Nain. Biblically, the gate signifies a seat for a leader to mete out judgment (Ruth 4:11). Luke placed this raising to life event at the gate of the town as central in the encounter between the mourning crowd going out of the town and Jesus and His followers entering the town. So, Jesus at the gate is an epiphany for the crowds that He comes as the Judge who restores life.

To the Corinthians, Paul teaches a very important lesson – that the Church is fully alive by identifying itself as the Body of Christ. Our judgment should be that any one particular part does contribute to life. Regardless of who we are and what role we play, all of us make up the Body of Christ, a living body. Hence, our judgment must transcend all human desires to eliminate the significance of menial roles. Even healing and prophecy are seen as lower gifts if they are used to dominate others and hinders freedom to fuller communal life. The higher gifts of the Spirit can be epiphanies for people to return to God and exclaim “God has visited me.” Gifts benefit the whole Church. A fruit tree bears fruit for others to enjoy. This is what we are called to do.

Lord Jesus, may Your wonders affirm our menial roles.