The Holy Apostles and Deacons Prochor, Nicanor, Timon and Parmenas (1st-2nd c.)
1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Matthew 18:18-22; 19:1-2, 13-15
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
“No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.”
The society in which we live has become increasingly utilitarian, especially in how humanity is seen and treated. People are considered worthy of life in so far as they are “useful” to the society in which they live. Too often those with disabilities are undesirable and are to be eliminated. Similarly, the elderly are an unproductive drain on society. To sum up, let me borrow a popular line from a past game show: “You are the weakest link. Goodbye.”
Yet, it is not so in the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ requires all its members: the strong and the weak; the healthy and the broken; the healed and the suffering. If the Body of Christ used the worldly wisdom of utilitarianism, it would be mutilated.
Rather than eliminating those whom we perceive to be weak, broken, and suffering, we ought to support them by our prayers and with good works. If we, as the Body of Christ which is the Church, live a life whereby we support and care for the least of our brothers and sisters, and even more, learn from them and recognize the gift that each one is to us, then our relationship with the “weak” can change our utilitarian, throw-away society.