A Brief Reflection: Living as Members of the Body of Christ

These words of Thomas Merton spoke to my heart today. Yesterday we celebrated the life of a dear friend and brother of mine. Love was central part of who Dan was and how he lived out his faith. He spent his career as a lawyer fighting for those who were being oppressed by the system. He wasn’t in it for the money, rather he was trying to make a difference in this world one life and one relationship at a time.

No true Christian can safely face the Last Judgment with the self-satisfied conviction that it is “somebody else” who is wicked, and that certain “other people” are foredoomed to be among the goats. If we are members of Christ, then we must live as members of Christ. We must be like Him Who came not to condemn man in his misery and confusion, but to enlighten him and save him. (p. 142)

Instead of living in a spirit of arrogance and condemnation, perhaps those who claim the name of Christ could live in a spirit of love and light. I see far too many practicing the former and calling themselves Christians. I find myself more often than I would like jumping straight into anger and condemnation when I see what is going on around me in this country and world. It takes a very intentional effort on my part to stop myself from going down that road and instead to live as a Christ follower. Dan lived that way in a humble and selfless manner. As someone said after his Memorial service yesterday, we need more Dan’s in this world. I wholeheartedly agree with them ♥️