If We are the Body

Nativity is doing a message series now called "Bread," about Catholic worship and specifically, the Eucharist. The words, "the Body of Christ," have different meanings to different people. To Catholics, it means many things, and also just one thing. It's a completely inconceivable mystery, but it is also a reality. I'll leave the deep theological discussions of the subject to others. But I want to write about being the Body of Christ to others.

This has been on my heart lately. Some dear friends of mine just got laid off from my law firm (I'm not there either-I'm on sabbatical for some indeterminate amount of time). I'm sure everyone can think of people in need right now-I know people going through cancer treatments, dealing with marriage issues, and struggling on spiritual levels, as well as the many who are worried about finances. It can become overwhelming. 

Do you ever wish you just didn't need to help? Do you ever think, if I just don't pick up the phone, then I can avoid helping at least for another day? Or, I'll pretend I didn't get that last email and that will buy me some time. I'm not going to say "shame on you." If I did, I'd have to say shame on me too. 

It can be hardest to be the Body when we are suffering on some level too. "I'll just take care of myself and my situation right now, and when things are great for me, then I'll help others." Maybe I've never said it, but I've thought it. 

The truth is, being the Body of Christ when we feel like a broken limb ourselves is a triumphant move on two levels: we help someone else, even in some very small way, and it helps us too. I don't understand how. I just know it works.

A friend of mine, one of the attorneys who just got laid off, has 3 kids, a mortgage, and all of the headaches of life. I met her for lunch recently, and we talked about her job search. But we talked an equal amount of time about some things on her heart that she wanted to accomplish--helping with some pro bono work in a few different areas of the law. It amazed me. She really showed me what being the Body of Christ is all about.

Casting Crowns has a very convicting song called "If We are the Body." It takes a harsh but sometimes truthful look at people in the pews. They might be receiving the Body of Christ, but they aren't being the Body of Christ.

But if we are the Body 

Why aren't His arms reaching?

Why aren't His hands healing?

Why aren't His words teaching? 

And if we are the Body 

Why aren't His feet going? 

Why is His love not showing them there is a way?

Just sitting in church for an hour, even if you are authentically worshipping, is not all there is to being the Body of Christ. In fact, if that's all you're doing, I submit you aren't being the Body at all. You don't have to be smart or wealthy or healthy or even mobile to the Body of Christ. You can call someone struggling. You can pray for people in crisis. You can make a meal for a family in need. You can be nice to people who, frankly, you feel don't deserve niceness. 

It's tough right now for so many people. Maybe it's tough for you too. Acting like the Body of Christ, though, will give you strength for the journey, even if you can only act in a seemingly small way. When I think of  being the Body, I think of different ministries I have witnessed, some that seem hard and high profile, and some that seem more accessible but also impactful. Nativity will be sending another crew to Nigeria this year (check out the NativityNigeria blog at: http://www.nativity-nigeria.blogspot.com/). It's an amazing outreach that continues to grow and has a great crew of hardworking ministers. While Nativity ministers will be the Body in Nigeria, at the very same time, other Nativity ministers will be the Body at home, helping people find parking spaces at church or take care of children during Mass so adults can worship. Visiting local sick people. Praying for small group members. Serving coffee. 

A wise old Albanian nun who lived in the gutter with the poorest of the poor once said, "we cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."

Be the Body.