being the body of Christ together

Good afternoon sisters and brothers,
Yesterday's reading gave us a hint to Paul's concern with the church's behavior: they were allowing human divisions to divide the church. In this part of the reading Paul puts the problem in theological terms. When we talk about communion we're talking about the body of Jesus Christ, and when we talk about the church we're also talking about the body of Christ.

When we allow our prejudices or differences to get in the the way of true, loving community, we are tearing apart the body of our Lord. That's a really big deal. That means we need to do whatever we can to put community first. The church isn't just an organization we take part in, it is a divine body of which we are a part. That's a reality to grow into and a calling for all of us.

God bless,
Sam

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

²³For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

²⁷Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. ³⁰For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. ³¹But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. ³²But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

³³So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I will give instructions when I come.