We are working through a sermon series on ‘What is The Church'?’ and today we are considering ‘the Body Of Christ’ from 1 Corinthians 12. Bob’s away in the Lake District with the Men’s Group [so he is preaching in the open air, high upon a hillside, this morning!] and I am in the pulpit here. I shall be quoting from this poem by Teresa of Avila
Christ has no body but yours,I wonder if any of last week’s visitors will come back again today?
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks with
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours
All the pieces of the jigsaw are important
UPDATE- the service went very well – thank you everyone who was praying for us. Sophie announced they had raised over £600 yesterday, and even more was donated this morning!
You're so lovely. And Bob will soon be home!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved that poem. I'm sure you will preach beautifully.
ReplyDeleteDuring one sermon about the body of Christ,the old lady next to me leaned over and whispered "looking round these pews..I don't think we'd make a decent body between us".
ReplyDeleteJane x
That is a lovely lovely poem, I think I might write it up and put it on my wall (can I also send it to our Parish magazine to print? I think many would appreciate it!) I'd love to find out more about her, I love the stories I've heard of her!
ReplyDeleteI made the prayer tent (though, not quite a tent as it ended up inside!), we had some visitors today, though not as many as one would have hoped but everyone counts!
Kezzie, I found the poem here
ReplyDeletehttp://www.journeywithjesus.net/PoemsAndPrayers/Teresa_Of_Avila_Christ_Has_No_Body.shtml
So glad you had some visitors at your 'Back To Church Event' Did you take photos of the prayer tent?
blessings x
Always liked that poem. I love the image of the jigsaw at the top.
ReplyDelete