We are his Body now (Lori Stanley / Fr. Ron Rolheiser)

I have heard in Mass,
“Become what you receive –
the Body of Christ.”
God is continually inviting us
to participate in that becoming!

 --Lori Stanley 

    Was the incarnation only a 33-year experiment, a one-shot incursion by God into human history? No! The marvel of the mystery is that God took on human flesh and has never since ceased to have human flesh. 

    In St. Paul’s words, “We are the body of Christ.” We don’t replace Christ’s historical body, we are not like his body, nor are we even his mystical body, we are his body; flesh, blood, tangible, in history, and to the extent that we live in grace, the on-going incarnation, God in flesh in history. 

    We are his body now. When we forgive, Christ is forgiving; when we bind, Christ is binding; when we console, Christ is consoling. When we suffer anguish over a loved one, the lamb of God is bleeding. 

    When people accept our love, they are accepting Christ’s love. When their hearts are warmed and moved because we love them, they are being moved and repentance is taking place through Christ and the Holy Spirit. That is the mystery of the incarnation! It is true! 

--Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI

Image source: https://www.christiancentury.org/article/sundays-coming-premium/body-shaming-tears-apart-body-christ
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