Body of Christ - Tuesday 2nd May 2006

We are the body of Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Let us then pursue all that makes for peace and builds up our common life.

 

You may well recognise these words as an introduction to the peace. We, as Christians, are the body of Christ called to do the work of Jesus in our world today.

 

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5

 

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12

 

We each have our part to play in being the hands, feet, mouth and tongue of Jesus. On our own we can feel insignificant and weak. When we work together, as one body, in a co-ordinated way we are much more powerful and can achieve more. When the body flexes its muscles, as it did on the Saturday before Easter, then great things happen.

 

One of my most vivid memories of a busy Easter weekend was of standing at the front of St Oswald’s with the pews full and many standing at the back; 200 people praising God ready and eager to go out into that community to show the love of Jesus to others by meeting their needs.

 

Today, take time to contemplate your place in Christ’s body. Have you answered the call of Christ in your heart to serve him as he wants?

 

Take time to pray for those who form the part of the body of Christ that is St Matthews. Pray for those that were served by our body in New Bilton; that the seeds sown on that day will grow and flourish.