Looking For the Body

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Yesterday was Easter. And I started the day by writing in my prayer journal a thank you to Jesus for his death and resurrection to save me.

And then I had a check in my spirit . . . and I added, “To save us.”

I’ve been reading this book: Generations by Jean M. Twenge. It’s 500+ pages of the most fascinating data I’ve read in years. All this information about generations in America: Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents. All backed by tons of research, and all presented in a very engaging manner.

(And no, I’m not getting any financial compensation for promoting the book, but you should still read it.) 

But one of the big picture trends it talks about is how America has become more and more individualistic. Twenge says, “American culture began the 1960s as a collectivistic culture (focused on social rules and group harmony) and ended it as an individualistic one (focused on the needs of the self and thus often rejecting traditional rules). Each subsequent decade continued the trend of more individualism.”

So, for example, whereas earlier generations got married and stayed married, even if they were unhappy, because intact marriages were best for the kids and best for society, Gen Z is not interested in marriage or having children much at all because both get in the way of what they really want to do with their lives.

Now, Twenge makes a point of telling us, “Neither individualism nor collectivism is all good or all bad – each has its trade-offs.”

And yes. Okay. But I have been much more aware lately of the problematic individualism in the church. American Christians, as a group, are all about Me. My relationship with God. What I got out of the sermon today. How I am growing in my faith.

And no, that’s not a bad thing . . . but you know, it’s not the only thing.

About thirty years ago, I spent a few weeks at a summer seminar at Kenyon College in Ohio. I had no car there, so on Sunday mornings, I walked to the closest church for services. It was an Episcopalian church (I believe) – very liturgical, which was very new to me but really interesting.

One of the things I loved was the communal prayers. I remember the presbyter reading from a book, “For the people who . . .”, and we all responded, “Lord, hear our prayer.” What most moved me was knowing that there were people all over the world saying those exact same words that day. The unity of the saints. I loved that.

When I've been in a worship service lately, I have tried to be more conscious of the fact that while God is there to meet me, he is not only there to meet me. He is there to meet the entire body of believers sitting in that room. He is interested in our welfare not just as individuals, but as a group. But loves us as a body united. And he wants us to be a body united.

And we’re not doing that very well.

My Eastertide scripture for the week is from John 20 -- when newly-resurrected Jesus asks Mary Magdalene in the garden, "Who are you looking for?"

She was looking for Jesus -- well, for his body. But Jesus was standing right in front of her, and she didn't see him. 

The people of the church are the Body of Christ. If we can't see Jesus today, maybe we need to start looking in the right place -- in the local branch of the Body he has placed us in. And maybe we, the Body, need to bear a bit more of a resemblance to him.

So, thank you, Jesus, for loving and saving not just me, but us. All of us. The huge, gangly, ridiculous, contentious, divided, unruly, seemingly irredeemable group of us who you have chosen to call your body -- your children. We are sorry we are doing this discipleship thing so badly. Forgive us, Lord. Help us. Help us care about us, and not just about Me.

In your name we pray . . . amen.

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