Luke
22:19-20
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them,
saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of
me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for
you.”
Los
Manos de los Americanos
As
a Presbyterian, I have always been challenged by the significance of
the last supper. Without the literal concept of transubstantiation,
I find myself wondering what Jesus meant when he urged the disciples
to partake of his body and blood. The allusion to food must suggest
some form of sustenance, but how is something as frail as a body
supposed to sustain the divinity of a savior?
The
answer quite literally fell into my hands in Leona Vicario, Mexico.
Several times, actually:
As
an offering plate passed around a tiny church construction site in
Tres Leches.
As
I overcame language barriers and taught knitting by demonstration,
rather than with words.
As
I pressed dough into tortillas.
As
a member of our group massaged tired limbs.
As
we clasped hands and prayed at our last Mexican supper, I found my
meaning. Through our hands, we were able to give, to teach, to cook,
to soothe, to pray. If our hands alone can do so much, then the body
of Christ is the body of mission, and what a glorious vessel of good
work it is.
I
praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works
are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm
139:14)
Katie
Blair
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