At our baptism we were joined to the Body of Christ. We sing “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.” St. Paul tells us that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) and even more pointedly “You are members of Christ’s body.” This is not the final act, but the beginning. And it gives us a power to act in this world in a very unique way: to act like Christ and love others the way He does.
Fr. Anthony Coniaris in his book, Making God Real in the Christian Home, says, “When God desired to work among men, He took to Himself a human body like ours. [...] Then on Ascension Day His body left the earth and was no longer active among men. If God intended to do any more work among men, He must either bring that body back again, or else He must use some other body. He has chosen to do the latter. [...] Christ lives in all of us who share in His life. He continues to work and act through us who make up His new Body in the world.”
This month we celebrate Theophany, wherein Jesus Christ is baptized by John in the Jordan river. During this event we see the appearance of God: Wherein the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. With this event the mystery of Christian baptism is initiated and is the means through which we are joined to the Body of Christ.
God joined us to Him so that we can act in this world the way that He did. How often do we consider the beauty of this reality? How often do we actually experience that in our lives? Even if we do consider it, how often do we dismiss it as something that we’re not qualified to do? Perhaps we’re missing this because we don’t realize how essential it is to participate in His life. Again, Fr. Anthony:
Is there some wrong that must be made right? How will God do it without you? Is there some fear to be allayed in a troubled heart? How will God do it without you? Is there someone who needs to be guided to a higher road? How will God lead him there without you? Is there some home shattered by hatred that needs the love of Christ? How will Christ bring that love except through you? Toward the very end of the New Testament, we read that God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Rev 21:4) That He will do, but he will use your word and your compassion and the gentle touch of your hand to do it. For today we Christians make up the only Body through which Christ can act to bring His love and peace to the world.
As we begin another year and make resolutions, let’s resolve to reconnect with Christ’s body in us. We do this primarily through the mysteries of His Church, reading scripture, daily prayer, fasting and almsgiving, so that we might be His action in the world.