Lay Director (Each month, one of our Lay Directors will write an article.)
We are one body, one body in Christ, and we do not stand alone! (I hear you singing along) .One more time…. We are one Body, one body in Christ, and we do not stand alone!
Yes, we are all one body with many moving parts. It reminds me of the reading from 1Corinthians 12:14-18. Paraphrased. The foot can’t be the eye, can’t be the ear, can’t be the mouth. Verse 18 “But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as He intended. And so, we all can’t be the ear, the eye, the mouth, the foot…etc. But as God intended, we need to be the best version of the part of the body that God created us to be. Serving those that He puts in our daily path with the utmost care and concern. If we do this, “What a wonderful world it would be”!
Speaking of the body, Jesus laid down His life for us; gave us His body and blood “that we might have life and have it abundantly”!
I sat in the chapel today, in front of the tabernacle, praying what He might have me write about. The image behind the tabernacle is the last supper. As I took in the images of the 12 around Jesus, I was drawn to Jesus’ outstretched arms, pointing downward, with hands held open, palms up. Just below His hands, on one side was the bread, on the other side, a chalice cup (HIs blood). Take a moment and meditate with me. I am called to be His body to a broken world. To share His blood, His love, with a lot of non-Christian people who hate what Jesus stands for. He came to bring peace and love to the world over 2,000 years ago. And they couldn’t handle it! They killed him because of what He stood for. Are they really going to love me? I doubt it. But that's ok. Jesus says in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus assures us that it will not be smooth sailing! (The disciples in a boat being tossed). So, what do we do? Kneel down and pray! I was going to say stand up.
But in a sense, yes, stand up by kneeling, and pray that God will grant us strength to continue the work that He started. Grant us the wisdom to make the right decisions to move forward as He guides us. Let us be servants to all those we meet. And do so as He taught us .... Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. THY kingdom come. THY will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses. As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For THINE is the kingdom, and the POWER, and the GLORY. Now and forever. AMEN!! ALLELUIA!!
Peace, prayers, and blessings to all of you!
De Colores!
John Lyons lyons5876@gmail.com
Kathy Otermat kotermat04@gmail.com