We are all members of the one body of Christ. This simple but profound truth proclaimed by St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians presents a strong challenge to us as Christians.
In baptism, we were incorporated into the life of Jesus Christ. Through our incorporation into the life of Christ, we participate now in the life of God in the hope that one day we will enjoy the fullness of that life forever. The challenge for us is that every day we have to show the world by our words and actions that we do, in fact, participate in the life of Jesus Christ. We do this when our words and actions conform to the life and teaching of Jesus. If the words we speak are full of judgment, condemnation, and prejudice then we betray our participation in the life of Jesus Christ. If our actions demonstrate a lack of respect for the dignity of others, if we fail to show an active concern for the poor and those on the margins of society, and if fail to offer forgiveness to those who offend us, then we betray our participation in the life of Christ.
In baptism, we are also incorporated into the Body of Christ that is the Church. We receive the gift of our baptism through the Church of Christ. We only exist as Christians in communion with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Do we recognize the importance of our membership in the Body of Christ that is the Church of Christ? Is the Sunday Eucharist a priority in our lives, that is, do we attend the Sunday Eucharist regularly, arrive on time, and participate actively in the celebration? Do we contribute our time, our talent and our treasure to the Church? Do we listen to what the Church teaches and seek to form our lives according to that teaching? Do we foster a spirit of welcome and acceptance within the Church of Christ? Is the exchange of peace a genuine of exchange of good will that you offer to all your fellow Christians excluding no one from your offer of peace whether overtly or covertly in your heart?
We are members of the Body of Christ by virtue of our baptism. Have we ratified our membership in the Body of Christ by the manner of our lives?

Fr. Mark Hallinan, S.J.