Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. ICor12:14, NRSV
Paul begins his comparison of the many parts of the body with the many different people who belong to the community of faith in this verse. It’s a simple enough statement, and an obvious truth. A body cannot function without many different parts, and each has an important task to keep the whole thing healthy and working.
I’d be happy if this verse were painted over the sanctuary doors, hung on the refrigerator in the church kitchen, or posted in the parking lot. I might be less inclined to discount others due to my inability to see and appreciate the vital work they do.
I was reading John O’Donohue, and he was talking about how St Paul rejected the hierarchy model of spiritual community, and offered instead the Body model–that’s we’re all linked together in one Body with many complementary parts, all working together. But–as we all know–we got a LOT of hierarchy in the church model, and we have to find some way to form little Body communities as well.
Why we prefer the hierarchy over the body model is as puzzling as it is true. It’s hard to let go of it – even when our own gifts relegate us to the bottom of the power pyramid. Thanks, David! peace, Johnna