The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

1 Corinthians 12: 21-26

This afternoon I spoke with a physician friend who is struggling as he watches his wife deal with dementia-related difficulties and his long-term office manager who is facing death from cancer that is attacking her digestive system. It is a difficult time for him and those ladies and it underscores the fact that when one part of our body suffers, our whole being is affected.

Do these details make you a little uncomfortable? We give little thought to our daily lives unless there is a problem, right?

In the last verse above, Paul reminds us of both the negative and the positive aspects of being part of the body of Christ. If is true that when one part of our physical body suffers, the whole body suffers, then how much more true is it when the body of Christ is attacked by disease and dysfunction? In the same way, we should be able to share in the joy of others.

Paul is concerned about the health of the church in Corinth, but it seems that these words are just as relevant today.  

Ask yourself a few questions: How do I respond to others who have different gifts or abilities? Am I envious? Do I look down on them?  When have I shared in the suffering of a brother or sister in Christ? Or, how easy is it for me to rejoice in their triumph?