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.
Go on to: Meditation on
the Lectionary: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
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