1 Corinthians 10: 16-17
Paul continues by reminding them they are one body in Christ and are there to support each other. In 1 Cor 10:16, Paul writes “The cup of blessing…is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” This sharing, is more than a communalsharing with, it is a sacramental idea of sharing in the one body. It is both / and – fellowship and true communion. “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor 10:17). When we read the scripture with this heart, it is very demanding of us in one way and an insight into what God wants for all of us as well. It is demanding because it is hard to move past our interests, our egos, and truly see each and every person as one with us in the body of Christ. What hurts one member hurts us all. How often have we heard that in Church or read that passage. This chapter of Paul gives new meaning to those words. If we are, in fact, one body in Christ, then if my arm hurts, I hurt. If my leg is sore, I am sore. So too, if one of my brothers is hurting, they are part of me, and if I let myself feel their presence as one with me, I too am hurting. Hurting not in a “I am sorry you are hurting” way, but rather in a “what can we do to make us all whole” way. This is demanding. This requires a letting go of self as the center of everything.
Dear Lord, this is very hard. To feel to that extent is really uncomfortable. We thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and trust that we am not alone. You are working in us each day, guiding our steps and helping us to love the way you love. We thank you for this gift and ask you to give us too a share in the courage needed to be open to sharing in the body of Christ with all your children.
Who is hurting today? For whom shall we pray?
Can we pray together – I pray for healing for the people of Ferguson who are angry, hurt and frustrated. I pray for peace for the people in the middle east whose every day is filled with the unknown. I pray for Paul, who courage as he works to find another job. I pray for each of you and for our community that we may continue to grow together sharing with each other and sharing in the one Body of Christ.
