My Body's Aching

"But God has so arranged the body, giving greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it." Corinthians 12"24-26

Although it is now several days after the accident, I am overwhelmed by how much my body can ache in strange places that I could never imagine would be effected by the impact. It is as if the members of my body are taking random and surprise turns at identifying themselves to me and acknowledging that they too have felt the trauma. Some moments it hurts to breathe and to stand up. I am told it is part of one's reaction to an accident, that muscles that were jostled will tense and have pain as a normal reaction. Body parts acting out might be a normal reaction to trauma, and yet it is not an easy thing to live with, and not an easy time to reconcile one to another. The best one can hope for is a little rest, a little patience and a great deal of gratitude for life and survival. The healing will happen, but it can take time and a gentle approach is best when living past trauma.

This aching body of mine reminds me of the words from Corinthians 12. And it reminds me of our Anglican Communion. Trauma and collisions have happened, and we are surviving the aftermath of the impact. No matter what one of us does, it has an effect on many others. And aching and acting out is part of the normal reaction to trauma. We all hurt from the collisions one of us has suffered. The good news for me in all of this is that we are ONE body. We ache together and are bound together for God's greater purpose. The Creator did not design or suggest amputation as a repair for trauma. God acknowledges our suffering and our inability to constantly cooperate and get along. And yet, God gives us the compassion in Jesus' suffering, to know it is possible to be one body broken and yet whole. Wholly needed by God and one another. Completed only in compassionate cooperation. Love active and functioning despite the aches and pains that trauma has brought to us all. Today, as I am aware of all the aches I have, I want to remember all of the aches that are manifests in the body of our church, and ask God to bring healing to us all. God's love for us is so great that God desires healing and reconciliation, not fissure. God put us together so that we may thrive. May we all have the strength today to recommit to the care and feeding of this wondrous body, so in need of care, so in need of healing.

Morning Prayer
Gracious Creator,
we arise today, knowing we are a small part of your body on earth. We arise knowing we are tiny portions of your wondrous creation. Give us and the bishops gathered a new sense of wonder and awe in the midst of your divine art work. Give us the strength to reach across the divides and conquer our fears. Give us the courage to see the elemental need we have of one another. Give us the sight to see the incredible possibilities for mission in a body undivided. Give us love today, that we might love in Christ's name, Amen.

Evening Prayer
Wondrous God,
you have made us of the same cloth and fibers. Help us to rest this night, knowing we are surrounded by witnesses to your presence and care among us. Give us the strength to release the tensions we have held all day, knowing that you will mend us in the night. Knit us together as one family. Weave the bishops together in one glorious tapestry, so the world might know your love in our diversity. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.