Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery (ELW 334, st. 2)
2 We remember truth once spoken,
love passed on through act and word;
ev’ry person lost and broken
wears the body of our Lord,
wears the body of our Lord.
Words and music by Marty Haugen
© 1984, GIA Publications, Inc.
Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A730924
Devotion
Jesus did not say, “This is my abstract theological concept or my sound doctrinal sermon given to you.” In his final words to his confused followers at the Last Supper, Jesus offers his broken body for the sake of their healing and forgiveness. Therapist and trauma specialist Resmaa Menakem (author of “My Grandmother’s Hands”) notes that trauma in our body is either “transformed or transmitted” to other bodies. God wearing flesh matters. We find healing comfort in knowing that the Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood to dwell with us. It is the wounds and scars of his savior that allows Thomas to recognize the risen Christ. And it is often our own wounds and scars that allow us to see Christ in our midst, providing healing and transformation to all of our bodies for the sake of God’s kin-dom. We get to wear the body of our Lord: ears, eyes, hands, feet, heart, and all. As Teresa of Avila once said, “Christ has no body but yours.”
Prayer
Jesus, we thank you for your body, broken for love’s sake.
We thank you for your ears, listening attentively to our cries.
We thank you for your eyes, seeing each one of your children.
We thank you for your hands, stretching out with compassion
We thank you for your heart, opening to every living thing.
We thank you for your body, given to us as a gift of life. Amen.