Tag: mystical body of christ

I can’t get the images out of my head!

December 28, 2020 / MSFriend / 0 Comments

mystical body of christ image — We are the Mystical Body of Christ!

I can’t get the images out of my head! In my last post Marana Tha I discussed the imagery that permeated my Advent prayer. After I posted that reflection, the images continued and by grace and the Spirit, Scripture was opened and Truth was spoken to me in a way I could never have expected. I’ve sat with this for days because I prayed for a clear way to share it. It all leads to understanding the Mystical Body of Christ but how I got there………..So let’s start with the images I encountered along the way.

The images in my head

I want to be as clear as possible, so I’m just going to list the images and connections made to each.

The Annunciation and the idea of Mary bringing Jesus into the world: us bringing Jesus into the world.

Bethlehem: our hearts

Cave in Bethlehem: darkness – our separation from God

No room at the Inn: no time for Jesus

Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes: the gift of Jesus

Jesus in Creche with arms outstretched: Jesus sharing a sign of peace – “Peace be with you!”

Psalm 80

On Christmas Day, the Rejoice series directed me to read Psalm 80. On page 124 of Rejoice, it reads “Imagine how Mary and Joseph would have sung psalms during the most silent of nights outside Bethlehem. Begin by slowing reading Psalm 80.” I have to admit, I was just going through the motions when I started reading. There was some sort of distraction in my mind. However, I just kept reading and re-reading the Psalm. It was almost as if the Spirit was guiding me and holding me accountable. Imagine a child, distracted with a toy while trying to do homework and you as a parent, gently guiding the child’s head and eyes back to the books. That’s how I imagine the Spirit with me on Christmas. “There’s something here for you to see Vilma, keep reading, pay attention.”

Then it hit me! I was drawn to verses 9-12: You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove away the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground; it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered by its shadow, the cedars of God by its branches. It sent out boughs as far as the sea, shoots as far as the river.

The images in my head take root

I may be totally off base here, but it’s how God spoke to me in the moment. When I read that I envisioned roots spreading throughout the earth. I pictured the roots enlivening the earth as they spread. Something like this but with light emanating from the roots instead of greenery.

Tying it all together

Stay with me now! Here’s where I’ll attempt to tie all the imagery together. We are called to share Christ with the world. It’s our way of “birthing” Him today, as Mary did over 2000 years ago. At our baptism, He is placed in the “womb” of our hearts as a gift (wrapped in swaddling clothes) through grace. It is up to us to unwrap Him. We unwrap Him by building a relationship with Him through prayer and worship. As our relationship grows stronger, the darkness of our hearts begins to dissipate, the Light begins to shine as the swaddling clothes begin to fall away to reveal Christ with His arms outstretched granting us peace!

The stronger our relationship with Christ grows, the more the light begins to shine in us – as if every one of our cells is catching fire. The more light, the more peace we exude. This light and its energy, which is peace, is palpable to all those we come in contact with. It’s like the root referred to in Psalm 80. It spreads far and wide. It’s contagious – others should see it and want it too! It should be the catalyst that begins the cycle of “unwrapping” in others. I often pray to be a beacon of light and hope to all those I come in contact with and a catalyst for change and conversion – now I know where that came from!

The Mystical Body of Christ

So you see, the Light that shines in us, affects all those around us. It’s our connection to all that is. We’re all meant to be connected! So THIS is how God spoke to me on Christmas Day. He opened up the Scriptures to give me an amazing image of what it means to be the Mystical Body of Christ! I hope I made it as clear as I think I did!

God bless you!

I AM

December 5, 2015 / MSFriend / 0 Comments

The fact that I am is amazing and wonderful. I can move about,

I can think, love, and choose. I can grow- in wisdom.

I am yours, God,Your beloved child.

Gifted as You see fit,

For sharing, For loving,

For bearing. In utter reliance on You;

In trust,Totally secure,

Totally loved, Totally yours.

written by Sr. Virginia Flagg, MM

I recently came across this poem, written by a MaryKnoll sister. Wow! Wow! Wow! Sooooo rich. I can go on for days meditating on this poem. Each phrase rich with meaning, steeped in Scripture and thought provoking possibility.

The fact that I am is amazing and wonderful – How did I get here? Why am I here? Where am I going? The answers lie in Psalm 139:For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts,God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you. If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

I can move about, I can think, love and choose – we all know God created us with free will, our freedom and personal responsibility to choose between right and wrong. Lord knows it’s free will that gets us into trouble most of the time. It is through free will that we think before we choose and it is God’s hope that we choose love!

I can grow in wisdom – the more we grow in love, the more we are open to being led by the source of all wisdom, the Holy Spirit, our advocate and guide.

I am yours, God, Your beloved child – when I think of being a beloved child of God, I breathe a sigh of relief. Our almighty Father – watching out for me! Wow! Scripture says, unless you become like a little child you will not enter the kingdom of heaven – a reminder to us to remain humble and to not get sucked into “the ways of the world.”

Gifted as you see fit – we each have different gifts but are part of the same body, the mystical body of Christ. We all have something to contribute, have you figured out what that is for you?.

For sharing – we are encouraged to share our gifts and talents, to share our faith. Think about what this means for you and make a conscious effort to start sharing, if you haven’t done so already.

for loving – we are called to love our neighbor, the second greatest commandment. This is easier than you might think, all it requires is an open heart. If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts – Psalm 95.

for bearing – we are expected to bear wrongs patiently. Tough one for sure. Are you up for the challenge? We are all works in progress. What a great feeling to witness the changes and growth of one’s own spirit. Journaling is a great way to keep track of your progress.

In utter reliance on you – with all the things we are called and expected to do in our humanity, we are aware of our weaknesses and limitations and we rely on God for the strength to persevere in all things, for NOTHING is impossible with God.

In trust, totally secure, totally loved, totally Yours – We are totally His when we put all our trust in Him. When we are totally His – through our surrender – we can rest secure in the knowledge that He loves us unconditionally. “He’s got this!” As St. Augustine once said: My soul is restless until it rests in You! God Bless you!