Only One Body; Only One Flock

Bringing the Good News to our brothers and sisters in Christ

in Laskela, Russia, many years ago. There is only one Body

of Christ. We live and serve by the power of the Spirit of

Christ that all of the sheep may be united as members of that

One Body.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV 

What a tragedy that our Lord would have to die for our sins. Yet, he loves us so much that he was willing to suffer horribly and die for us. He was abandoned by the very sheep he sought to save.

And, not just was abandoned, is still abandoned. We, like sheep, have gone astray, turning each to his own way. One of the most predominant false gods within the church on earth is ourselves. Rather than God, it is the ego that is way too often served. The false gods of wealth and property also loiter around the church, as well. But, they usually pertain directly to the predominant false god of self. We say we love him and most probably do. But, at the same time we often forget to acknowledge and welcome the whole Body of Christ. Often the sheep do not recognize the other sheep; thinking only of their own needs; their own desires, striving only to fulfill their own egos. 

St Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment." (1 Cor 11:29-31) This not only relates to discerning the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion; but, to recognizing the body of Christ that comes to the table with us. It is not about us, as individuals. It is about the whole body of Christ living in His Kingdom, united and at peace with God and with one another. That doesn't happen when the sheep are all busy trying to go their own ways.

Like Peter and the other disciples, when the going gets rough; when it becomes a danger to self preservation of ego or even life itself, the sheep all too often scatter. Yet, he loves us so much that he was willing to suffer horribly and die for all the lost sheep that we might be reconciled to God our Father for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J