More about this 'body' from "Let the Bones Dance" - Marcia W. Mount Shoop Jesus says, "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I our them" (John 6:56) Transformation is the core promise of Christian life. And transformation is an actual change in form, not simply a new outlook on life or a welcomed assurance of an eternal reward. Our bodies change in an incarnational faith - our individual bodies and our corporate bodies. Jesus is asking to be ingested so that he can dwell in us; and we are changed in form when Deity inhabits us this way. Where sin and suffering distorts us , that affliction is healed in a deep and profound way. A path is cleared for us to learn to function and feel anew. The change of the 'already' and the pull of the 'not yet' take hold in our thinking and doing, and in our very being. Ingesting God like food and drink means that, our very cells, tissues, and sinews get nourished. We are transformed bodies, not simply transformed minds and hearts. Our weekly bible study group has ventured through John's Revelation and those short letters of John and then some of the John texts during this Easter season. It has meant that we are dealing with this reality of being transformed - becoming new - living as though Christ lives in us. We all agreed that this is a very physical indwelling - not some meditative state. It is the Word becoming flesh so that the life of that Word will not merely tickle us. Rather, it will become us. Just and Jesus is one with God - so are we a part of the wonder-filled presence of God that really does make things new. Of course, the newness is not always so evident. And yet, it rains down upon us each time we gather as a community of the body of Christ and take part in that meal that is our shape - our substance - our transformation. Maybe the meaning of mystical union with Christ is about a very concrete - very much alive and physical coming of Lord, Jesus, in, with, and under all that we are becoming. Connection: There is something just plain, old, everyday about the real presence of Jesus within our lives. No need to go here or there. God comes to us -for us - to be a part of all that we are. That means we have no forbidden side - we have only lives that are continuously being brought to life - life abundant. Gather us as one, O God. Bring us the life that shines - the life that is full of the living presence of our Lord, Jesus - a life so real and engaged that we often miss that you are already at work among us. Amen. |
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