By Sr. Nun Other

While walking near our church, I was impressed by the beauty of grapes on a nearby vine. I stopped and adjusted my glasses for an up-close inspection. In perfect bunches, light green, unripened grapes, sidled up to others already in process of color transformation. Though currently in different stages of development, they coexisted in flawless symmetry.

The experience reminded me of the scripture concerning the Body of Christ, found in 1 Corinthians 12.  Briefly summarized,  Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many: a foot, a hand, an ear, an eye. God arranged the members in the body, each one of them as He chose. And with a variety of gifts – wisdom, knowledge, faith, prophecy – but it is the same God who activates all of them.To each is given…for the common good.

We sometimes suggest that a person “just be one of the bunch.” I conclude, there’s no such thing. It’s more accurate to say be part of a bunch, add your strengths (and need), journey together in spite of differences, encourage through mercy, and uphold one another with forgiveness.