Tuesday, September 11, 2012 by Food for Thought
FirstReading: 1 Cor 6:1-11
Psalm: Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a And 9b
Gospel: Lk 6:12-19
We know a lot about the apostles Peter and John, much less about the others and only infamy about Judas Iscariot. And yet, they all shared in the honor of having been selected by Jesus. We need not be envious of these apostles. At baptism, Christ himself, speaking through the priest who baptized us, called each of us by name. Perhaps we share an apostolic name, but whatever our name, it became ours and served to identify us.
There is something very personal about being called by name, and when we are recognized and singled out in this manner by a person of prominence, we are thrilled. The use of one’s personal name shows recognition, often affection and respect. We should have a proper sense of our dignity through baptism, and we must recognize that dignity in others. People of dignity do not stoop to actions below them and understand how to treat others with respect. That is why St.
Paul was disappointed that the Corinthians descended so low as to hail one another into court over squabbles and disagreements. Some people might say that St. Paul was idealistic and naive about the hard realities of life, but that is only because they do not have his sense of the dignity possessed by anyone who is called by Christ.
We are a group of people called and selected by Christ as surely as were the apostles. We should never think that anyone of us is insignificant in God’s plan. We are part of the history which Christ
himself shapes. And he wants each one of us to be a part of that history as living witnesses to faith. As we worship God today, let us pray for the grace to live and act in accord with the Christian
dignity which is ours as people specially consecrated and dedicated tothe love and service of God and people.