Mystical Body Visible

The world becomes ablaze with beauty when you pause long enough to watch the hands and feet of Jesus at work.

I learned of this truth, when after a week of tragic news, and unfortunate glimpses of the worst behaviors we are sometimes capable of displaying, I decided to go look for the goodness.

We piled into our van, each child with a tiny notebook in their hands, to search for ordinary people doing kind acts.

Of course, we didn’t have to go very far.

The hands and feet of Jesus were everywhere, visible in all the subtle instances that we often overlook.

They were visible in the neighbor taking a plate of homemade muffins to a weary mother with sick little ones.

They were visible in the stranger changing an elderly man’s flat tire, both of their faces crinkled with lines of laughter.

They were visible in the teenage boy who handed a lady a few dollars after she realized she didn’t have enough to buy her groceries.

“Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:27-28).

Sisters, when we use the gift of ourselves to love others, we are working as the body of Christ.

Jesus calls us to go forth and use our gifts for His glory. Often, we assume that our daily deeds are not enough. The little acts of service that may seem small in measure are abundant when they are done with love.

Yes, we are the body of Christ, and He is at work in glorious ways.

We are the body of Christ, and He is at work in glorious ways.Click to tweet

Pope Pius XII drafted this encyclical on the Mystical Body of Christ in the 1940's. It's worth looking over at this striking proclamation of the Church & Christ's relationship.

Leana Bowler lives in Arizona with her husband, five children, feisty grandma, and three dogs. She love Jesus, writing jokes, books, strong coffee, and drawing upgraded stick figure people. You can find out more about her here.