25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
It is said that Jesus went to the cross alone; this is true in that he endured the pain and suffering alone, but those who gathered at the foot of the cross also wept and felt the sting and loss after his death. Though we, along with God the Father, Jesus’ earthly family, the Apostles and other followers of Jesus, felt the pain of grief and emptiness over Jesus’ death, we can thankfully all rejoice at his Resurrection and the hope that he left with us that we would all, once again, be given new life in the body of Christ.
I’ve been single all of my life; living alone for the past 23 years, and I often get asked, “Aren’t you lonely?” My honest answer is “Yes, sometimes I get lonely, but although I may be on my own, I know I am never truly alone.” I have my biological family, my church family, my friends and most importantly my God by my side at all times. I know, and am thankful, that there is always someone with whom I can talk and spend time with and with whom I can share my joys and my sorrows.
In this life, none of us are alone regardless of whether we are single, widowed, or married. Each of us is connected in one way or another, just like pieces of a puzzle or parts of the body, and we cannot survive without that connectedness. The Lord has given us to each other—to love, to grieve with and to comfort; to celebrate with and to rejoice together. We are all members of the Lord’s family and will all share in the feast that has no end, on that glorious day, when he returns and gathers us all into his Heavenly home to dwell as one family, connected, with him forever.
“I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together”!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for each member of your church here on Earth. Help us to remember that we are never alone and that we need each other in this life. Let us reach out to and be there for one another; especially to those who do not yet know you. Amen.
Nancy Erbeck