“You are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.” We are the body of Christ at Lockport. As we face the unknown that is coronavirus and the implications it will have on our community and our life together we hold to this basic fact, “You are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.”
As Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 12 and this image of the body to illustrate what it is like to be a follower of Christ he explains our need for each other. In fact, counter to what we are used to, and certainly counter to the people of his time in the 1st century, Paul says, “Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor…If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
This is really the heart of Christianity. Christianity, following Jesus, is not about you or me. It is not about our personal preferences or desires. Christianity is about becoming more like Jesus. It’s about aligning our lives with God’s will, and about following the pattern of Jesus who gave up his life for the whole world.
As we wrestle with the restrictions that are being put on us due to the spread of the coronavirus, I am challenged to see this as part of the Lenten season that we are in. This is a challenge to practice what we preach and believe. We give up things that we may enjoy or find life giving so that others can live. Christianity is not about me, to think it is, is a form of idolatry because I become the object of worship. Christianity is about being the body of Christ here and now. In this case, it means limiting ourselves so that others can live. It means becoming a servant to others so that they too can experience the love of Jesus and find life. The weaker become indispensable, the less honorable receive more honor, we suffer and we rejoice together, as we model our lives on the life of Jesus.
Pray or Sing “Will you let me be your servant”
Will
you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too
We
are pilgrims on the journey
We are travelers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load
I
will hold the Christ light for you
In the nighttime of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I
will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through
When
we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too
Grace and Peace to you, Amen.