simply a general attitude of goodwill . It is costly . It entails humbly counting others better than yourself ( Phil 2:3 ), constantly looking out for their interests ( Phil 2:4 ), gently bearing the burdens of those who are weak or have fallen ( Gal 6:1-2 ), putting up with the faults of those who may not be easy to get along with ( Eph 4:2 ), and forgiving readily ( Eph 4:32 ). It also means taking care to avoid cliques , factions , favoritism , judgmentalism , or any attitudes that could tear apart the unity of the body ( 1 Cor 1:10-13 ). Ultimately , it means emptying yourself as Christ did and becoming the “ last of all and the servant of all ” ( Mk 9:35 ; Phil 2:5-8 ).
In a parish that lives according to this biblical vision , the good of each member becomes the preoccupation and commitment of all . It is not enough simply to sit in the pews week after week with the same people . No member of Christ ’ s body can be indifferent to any other . “ If one member suffers , all suffer together ; if one member is honored , all rejoice together ” ( 1 Cor 12:26 ). How could a hand not care if the knee is scraped ? The hand will put a bandage on it . Or if the hand is injured , the feet will walk toward the doctor so the hand can be cured .
Even more , all the members have one single goal : to glorify God by being transformed into the image of his Son , so that Christ may be made known and loved in the world . All the members want the “ old self ” to die , with its selfcentered and divisive tendencies . All reject Satan and want to see him put to flight . All want to be delivered from the ways of the world . All recognize that , even when a brother or sister fails or when we disagree , this is their highest goal as well .
Building up the body in love
There is one other element of biblical teaching that has often been neglected but is essential to koinōnia in the Church : the charisms , the innumerable gifts for leadership and service that the Holy Spirit distributes among the faithful . In pursuing unity , human beings tend to seek uniformity — everyone dressing , talking , thinking , and acting alike . But God ’ s plan is for a unity formed through the rich diversity of charisms such as teaching , administration , hospitality , intercession , healing , miracles , and prophecy . Each person is given charisms to be put at the service of others so that believers may be built up and unbelievers may come to believe ( 1 Cor 14:24-26 ).
A parish in which all activities are charism-based equips and motivates each member to serve according to his or her charisms , which brings joy and fulfillment , as well as freedom from jealousy or competition . If another person has an outstanding gift , praise the Lord ! His gift is not for himself , but for the whole body , and I can rejoice in it as if it were mine . Likewise , if I have a gift it is not for my ownership , but to share generously with others .
In this way , the divine love that flows from Christ the head to each person can flow through each person and circulate tangibly among all the members , so that all “ grow up in every way into him who is the head , into Christ , from whom the whole body , joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped , when each part is working properly , makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love ” ( Eph 4:15-16 ). This is the glorious mystery that God wants the world to see when it looks at the Church : “ Christ in you , the hope of glory ” ( Col 1:27 ).
Dr . Mary Healy is professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and a bestselling author . She is a general editor of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture and author of two of its volumes , The Gospel of Mark and Hebrews . Her other books include Healing and Men and Women Are from Eden . Dr . Healy is one of the first three women ever to serve on the Pontifical Biblical Commission .
Feast of the Most Holy Body of Christ procession outside of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament , June 2019 .
4 Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Mosaic | Spring 2021