What Happens to One Happens to All

It is easy to look at the persecution of others from a distance and be thankful we are not the ones being beaten and tortured. It is easy to hear about abuse of Christians in a distant country and be thankful we can freely walk the streets of our nation proclaiming our faith in Christ. Unfortunately, we should not be thankful because if our brothers and sisters in other countries are suffering, then we are suffering.

Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues.  Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Do all work miracles?  Do all possess gifts of healing?  Do all speak with tongues?  Do all interpret?  But earnestly desire the higher gifts.  And I will show you a still more excellent way.  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

1^st Corinthians 12:27-31;13:1-8

This famous passage from Saint Paul is rarely used to discuss our connection as Christians. True, the passage is about the differences that comprise the whole Church. We are all different, but we are all part of the Church…the Body of Christ. Today, I invite you to look past our differences and look at our connection.

Saint Paul opens this passage with, “You are the body of Christ.” Our individual differences within the body do not negate the truth that we are all part of the same body. This entire chapter from 1^st Corinthians is about how we share in each other’s reality. If one suffers, we all suffer…etc.

So, think again about the ‘poor Christians so far away’ who is suffering for Christ. Think again about the ‘unfortunate sister in Christ in another state’ who is being persecuted for living based upon Orthodox Christian morals. Now ask yourself, why you are thankful it isn’t you suffering.

Until we sense the true connection that exists between us as Christians, especially as Orthodox Christians, then we are not living as one body. We have turned Saint Pau into a liar. The only way to defeat suffering of others is to stop thinking we are excluded. Let’s look a little closer to home.

Consider the ‘new family’ who just moved into your parish. Have you met them? Have you at least spent time with them other than across the pew from them on Sunday? Consider the family who is suffering with addition in their family. Are you still judging them, or have you realized it is YOUR family who is suffering from addiction? Have you dared to offer your service, as little as they may be, to these families or others in your local parish?

The world is closing in upon the Church. More and more laws are being passed that threaten our way of life as Christians. It is happening in our country and across the globe. You may not be able to affect change in ‘a far away country’ but you can affect change in your parish. Think again about that family and ask yourself, “What can I do to help?”

You are not just helping the family. You are helping yourself if you believe in your baptism.