This is My Body

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples. Matthew 26:26-35 

This Is My Body

O Loving Creator of the whole world
we live on your scared and holy lands
we are temporary tenant farmers
we are careless and break your world.

Our world is fractured and in crisis
broken and divided we cry out loud
the virus has taken so many lives
yet we will not lean in together.

You shared your sacred body with us
we think only of the bread on the altar
yet your living body is among us
with the neighbor and with the stranger.

Break us open to see the need here now
turn us around to witness the real pain
tear us from our selfish and greedy ways
so that we might honor your love today. Amen