To Be Christian is to Have a Body

Today’s Reflection

I became aware that there is no way for me to be a Christian without my body. It was my body that moved through that sanctuary, my body that sang the longing, penitential hymns, and my body that watched as candles flickered on the altar table.

—Anne Cumings, My Body Is Good: Giving Up Diet Culture and Embracing Body Positivity for Lent (Upper Room Books, 2022)

Today’s Question

Why do you think so many of the church’s rituals involve bodily gestures such as bowing, kneeling, reaching out for Communion, etc.? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

After taking the bread and giving thanks, [Jesus] broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”—Luke 22:19 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God of new beginnings, help me toacknowledge, perhaps for the first time,the beliefs about my body that I haveheld for so long. Guide me in sortingwhich beliefs are helpful and which areharmful. Lead me back to you andto this body that you called good. Amen.