Homily for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary

St. Mark shows how, early into His ministry, Jesus sent out the Twelve that He had chosen to share in His work. He sent them out to do what He had been doing: to preach the gospel and to heal the sick. Jesus understood that He needed the help of others to do the work He had been sent to do. Jesus still needs us today to do His work. We are to be His eyes, His ears, His hands, His feet, His voice, and His presence wherever we are. He wants to work in and through us.

 

St. Paul understood this very clearly. He saw the Church as the Body of Christ in the world. The Body of Christ cannot be fully functioning unless everyone plays the role they are called and equipped to play through their Baptism. Each has a unique contribution to make to the life of the Body and, thereby, to the work of the LORD in the world today. Each is indispensable and necessary. The first reading from the letter to the Hebrews puts it very simply: In the Church, everyone is a “first-born child” and a “citizen of heaven.” There are to be no second-class citizens in the Church. Each of us is a vital member of Christ’s Body, uniquely graced by the LORD for His work and mission in the world.+