Monday, 10 June, 2002

The lead piece is from "Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. In this book she takes many of the words and images of the faith and attempts to put some reality and life to them.



BLOOD

...The word "bless" has its origins in blood. In Exodus 24, it is the blood of oxen that Moses sprinkles to sanctify the altar that God has commanded him to build. Then he sprinkles blood on the people who have assembled to worship, saying, "See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you..."

Blood includes us in the Incarnation - not so crazy, after all, but an ancient thing, and wise. The rhythm of life that we carry in our veins is not only for us, but for others, as Christ's Incarnation was for the sake of all.



It is, in many ways, a very intimate image. Our God sheds blood in relationship with us. When we used to have great apple fights under and around some of the big apple trees in the park we didn't make much of someone getting hit with a bunch of apples. Then again, when we wanted to press the seriousness of the brutality of the battle it usually had to do with someone saying, "Stop it he's bleeding!" I remember a friend getting in a fight in the park. I don't think any of us took it real serious until there was the first bloody nose. The story of our faithful past is one that is meant to connect us and unite us. Obviously some of the blood shed in the scriptures seems odd. At least that is what people will say about some of the stories in the Old Testament. Then again, as Norris points out, there are those images in the book of Revelation in which the blood carries a powerful "for us" as the Lord triumphs and the saints are gathered round.



Connection: I once had a science teacher who told us to sit quietly and try to imagine your blood running through your arteries and veins. I'm sure he was attempting to have us take a look at how the body never shuts down. It was one way to draw us away from our 7th grade concerns and focus on something greater than "me." Sometimes blood reminds me of devotion and connection to others.



Life-giving Lord, within this day your encourage us to reach out beyond our own concerns and anxieties and joys so that we may be connected to those around us and share in the power and wonder of your mystical body. Let us stay in touch with your power to bring life to your faithful as we are called into community with you. Amen