Commentary on the Lectionary: The Body Has Many Parts: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

Commentary on the Lectionary: The Body Has Many Parts: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
(January 24, 2010)

This passage features Paul’s well-known analogy between the body of Christ and the human body. Each has parts with different functions that are crucial to the proper functioning of the whole.
 
Increasingly, we recognize that all of Creation is interrelated and codependent. It was not possible in Paul’s time for humanity to change the climate, and similarly humanity’s ability to alter eco-systems is vastly greater today than 2000 years ago. Jesus repeatedly expressed concern about the welfare of those on earth, with particular focus on those who were weak and vulnerable. When humanity plunders and destroys God’s earth, the first victims are generally animals. The next victims are weak and vulnerable people, and the ultimate victims will likely be those people whose callousness and selfishness have contributed most heavily to the devastation. 


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