Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
“We are one Body in Christ.” (Romans 12:5)
St. Paul uses the image of a human body to describe the interdependence of believers. Christian life is never a solo endeavor. Faith draws us into communion. Each member’s gift sustains the whole.
In a world that prizes self-sufficiency, being dependent on others can be hard. In a culture that wants total freedom, being responsible to others seems limiting. Yet, the Apostle insists that the Christian belongs not only to Christ but also to His Body, the Church. Each of us is a limb or organ in a larger living reality. When one member suffers, all suffer; when one rejoices, all share the joy.
In the Gospel today, Jesus tells a parable about people who make excuses not to come to a great banquet (namely, the Kingdom of God). They isolate themselves, preferring their individual preoccupations to a collective celebration. God’s invitation is always communal—a table set for many, not for one.
The Body of Christ grows whenever we overcome the temptation to withdraw and choose instead to belong, to share, to serve.
For the Journey:
Remember that your faith is not yours alone. You are part of Christ’s living Body—needed, valued, connected. And however small it may seem, offer your unique gift for the good of all.
Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections