Photo courtesy of Paul Williamson www.colourbox.ca
Our mortal bodies, flesh and bones, will return to the earth. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says: "Everything goes to the same place, everything comes from the dust, everything returns to the dust" (Ecclesiastes 3:20). Still, all that we have lived in our bodies will be honored in the resurrection, when we receive new bodies from God.
What sorts of bodies will we have in the resurrection? Paul sees our mortal bodies as the seeds for our resurrected bodies: "What you sow must die before it is given new life; and what you sow is not the body that is to be, but only a bare grain, of wheat I dare say, or some other kind; it is God who gives it the sort of body that he has chosen for it, and for each kind of seed its own kind of body" (1 Corinthians 15:36-38). We will be as unique in the resurrection as we are in our mortal bodies, because God, who loves each of us in our individuality, will give us bodies in which our most unique relationship with God will gloriously shine.
For further reflection...
"I declare to you that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed..." - I Corinthians 15: 50-51 (NIV)
Throughout Advent, join us for a discussion of the new book, "Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life".
This discussion is moderated by Brynn Lawrence and Ray Glennon.
Consider our monthly giving program to sustain the ability to extend Henri's legacy and make his work available to those who seek spiritual formation and nourishment. Click here to sign up today.
In so many ways we use and abuse our bodies. Jesus' coming to us in the body and his being lifted with his body in the glory of God call us to treat our bodies and the bodies of others with great reverence and respect.
God, through Jesus, has made our bodies sacred places where God has chosen to dwell. Our faith in the resurrection of the body, therefore, calls us to care for our own and one another's bodies with love. When we bind one another's wounds and work for the healing of one another's bodies, we witness to the sacredness of the human body, a body destined for eternal life.
For further reflection...
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." - Luke 10: 36, 37 (NIV)
Your response...
How will you apply this? Comment on this Daily Meditation.
Throughout Advent, join us for a discussion of the new book, "Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life".
This discussion is moderated by Brynn Lawrence and Ray Glennon.
Consider our monthly giving program to sustain the ability to extend Henri's legacy and make his work available to those who seek spiritual formation and nourishment. Click here to sign up today.
