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The Wisdom of the Body
The Word became flesh and made his home among us. —John 1:14, CEB This month the Read More
Bronson C. Davis | Read 1 Corinthians 12:3-13
Beginning with 1 Corinthians 11 through chapter 14, Paul
addresses many issues related to corporate worship—the
life of the body, the group that works as a team. Modern life
provides many opportunities to serve on teams, including sports
teams, school project teams, work teams and church teams. Our
experience on teams helps us realize that people come to the
effort with a wide variety of God-given talents. The key to team
success comes in weaving these talents into a coherent whole.
Paul writes, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit
for the common good.” Once again the Spirit is at work—in creation,
in us, in the distribution of God’s gifts. We do not develop
these gifts; they are not accomplishments. They are gifts of the
Spirit. And no one gets all the gifts. So as we come together in
the body, we hope the “team” can use the varied talents of its
members to achieve its objectives.
The church and our faith communities are our focus this
week. Since the initial work of the twelve apostles chosen by
Jesus and then the efforts of millions working on behalf of the
church through the two thousand years of Christian history we
see examples of people inspired by God to carry out the church’s
mission. At many points charismatic leaders stepped forward:
Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, John Paul XXIII,
Mother Teresa, and many others. All these leaders differ in outlook
but share the skill of inspiring people to work together to
accomplish important objectives.
Every day, people of diverse gifts quietly work to make the
church a responsive community of believers who model by their
example how the Christian life is to be lived. May our manifestation
of the Spirit work for the good of all.
God, we thank you for the rich life we value as members of the church. May we witness the influence of the Holy Spirit in all our undertakings. Amen.
The foundation of the Pentecost festival is that series of events recorded in Acts 2, a decisive proclamation that links new life in Christ to the activity of the Spirit of God. At the heart of the church’s new life is its experience of the crucified, risen Lord, a reality also recalled in the John 7 reading. Psalm 104 celebrates the power of God in endowing the heavens and the earth with life, an endowment that is linked to the work of God’s Spirit. First Corinthians points the reader to the reality that the gift of life, having once been made, remains with the Spirit-led person in the form of a heart reoriented to new and marvelous deeds of witness.
• Read Psalm 104:24-34, 35b. God’s gift of Spirit animates the life and well-being of creation. Today, breathe in God’s Spirit; breathe out God’s praise.
• Read Acts 2:1-21. The church is the Holy Spirit’s creation to continue Jesus’ mission. What part are you playing in the ongoing drama of ministry and mission to the world?
• Read 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13. The writer asserts that “every day, people of diverse gifts . . . model by their example how the Christian life is to be lived.” How do you express your valuing of those who differ in worship style, theology, or doctrine?
• Read John 20:19-23. The writer says that Jesus’ call to his followers “is no easy assignment; it is not without peril.” How has being a Jesus-follower been difficult for you?
Respond by posting a prayer.
