20 November 2006

Again we will be using the writing of Dietrich Bonhoeffer to look at the body of Christ.

Through the Holy Spirit the crucified and risen Christ exists as the church-community, as the "new human being." For Christ truly is and eternally remains the incarnate one, and the new humanity is truly his body. Just as the fullness of the godhead became incarnate in him and dwelled in him, so are Christian believers filled with Christ (Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 3:19). Indeed, they themselves are that divine fullness by being his body, and yet it is Christ alone who fills all in all.

Being filled with Christ does bring about an image of Jesus being filled with the real presence of God in the flesh. I find that this is one way to consider ourselves - as the church-community - present for and in the world as if Christ was truly present in all that we become. That could be why words like "truly present" or "really present" are used when we speak of the Eucharist. We are not speaking of a mere symbol. We are speaking of the life that is available and is indeed opening up with a reality that is as real as the people around us. There is no symbolism in the meal. There is life that is as real as...well, just look around the next time you come to "take and eat - take and drink." The Christ is present and the people are shaped by the Christ who is in all humanity and "all that exists."

Connection: The week may not begin with much to see. And yet, we are invited to look again at how the week will begin as we are guided by the Christ who leads the body through new ways of being a part of the "new human being."

When you come to be with us, O God, you come bringing a whole new life. Unfortunately we do not always enter into that way and walk with you. And yet, even as we think about your presence, already your Spirit is pulling us into a grand participation in your body. May that life take shape within us and around us. Amen.