31 October 2006

More on the meaning of the body of Christ by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

For the first disciples the bodily community with Jesus did not mean anything different or anything more than what we have today. Indeed, for us this community is even more definite, more complete, and more certain that it was for them, since we live in full community with the bodily presence of the glorified Lord. Our faith must become fully aware of the magnitude of this gift. The body of Jesus Christ is the ground of our faith and the source of its certainty; the body of Jesus Christ is the one and perfect gift through which we receive our salvation; the body of Jesus Christ is our new life. It is in the body of Jesus Christ that we are accepted by God from eternity.

As you can see here, the body of Christ is being held in high regard and because of this, the community is being encouraged to be just who we are when we are bound together through baptism into the church. It is quite shocking to hear that we today more than those first disciple who were present with Jesus along the way of his life. The first kind of image that comes to mind is how we (within Lutheran circles) explain our participation in the Lord's Supper. We say that Jesus is really present in the meal. With that being said, we must look up from the cup and see the shape of our Lord brought to life in the gathering of saints within the sanctuary and at the meal. Spread across those faces and those lives is the mosaic of Jesus' presence among us. Therefore, we are to remember that we are being called to walk in Jesus' way even now. More importantly, we are that bodily presence of Jesus for the world around us. That is both a gift given to us and a life into which we are called to live. The body of Christ has an opportunity to be quite available to the world as we take on that call. When we allow ourselves to see that power given to us, it will be a dynamic force for the healing of the world - just as we hear it was for Jesus and his first disciples.

Connection: It is so important not to ignore the "being" verb when we talk about the church. We are the body of Christ in the world. Imagine that as you go out and about today.

As you are present with us, O God, you begin to pull us within your life of peace and justice, mercy and hope. By your Spirit, strengthen us as we begin again to follow you this day. It is so easy to forget about how - through us - your presence come to life for all to see. Walk with us. Amen.