Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Meanwhile, back at the Office

Office?

I'm referring to the Liturgy of the Hours, the readings for which are conveniently delivered daily to my igoogle home page via Google Reader. Given recent conversations I've been having about what it means to be catholic and Catholic, this afternoon's reading leapt from the computer screen right into my heart.

Here's the passage, 1 Corinthians 12:24-26, in a variety of translations. It's supposed to be prayed circa 3:00 PM but why wait?

"God has arranged the body and that there may not be disagreements inside the body, but that each part may be equally concerned for all the others. If one part is hurt, all parts are hurt with it. If one part is given special honor, all parts enjoy it. " Jerusalem Bible

"God has so composed the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care of one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." Revised Standard Version

"God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to the part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy." New American Bible

And the next verse? "Now you together are Christ's body; but each of you is a different part of it." Grateful to be reminded at this point in time.