Assembled as Whole

As a child I was fortunate to have my parents buy my brothers and myself Legos and Lincoln Logs.  Many hours were spent constructing buildings, fortresses, ships and vehicles with the Legos and of course the log cabin and fort with the Lincoln Logs. Each individual part was integral in the construction of the unit.  With the Lincoln Logs it was more apparent if a part was out of place because there would be a crumbling of the cabin or fort.  With the Legos pieces just would not fit and there would be no way in which to continue the construction until the right piece fit. Once the goal was achieved and the unit was finished to our perfection we would celebrate in a manner of speaking with our accomplishment.

Much like Legos and Lincoln Logs in our readings today we see people assembled, unified as one to hear the word. Ezra's reading from on high and later proclamation to the people: "Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!" Paul's focus on the body as one but made up of many parts each with its own respective role reflects the Church as a whole.  Yes, we are called upon to recognize our strengths and become an active part of the whole no matter how insignificant we sometimes might believe that part is. We are called upon to assists those who are suffering and comfort them. This is reflected in the various ministries of our parishes.

Again in the Gospel we see the assembly in the synagogue united in in their praise of God, but given a new revelation as Jesus reads from Isaiah. Likewise we are the new revelation. We are called individually by the message to bring glad tidings to the poor and assist those who are captive to various afflictions. We are called to assist those who might be blinded by worldly concerns and the moral relativism. We are called to free those oppressed by the stifling effects of poverty whether spiritual or economic. As we carry out a role we are the Lego or Lincoln Log piece with our brothers and sisters, constructing the Church as a whole so that in the end we can say faithfully, "The Scripture passage is fulfilled."