The Body of Christ

Kathryn Shema
Sister in Christ and student of Leadership

​If you are reading this right now, I sincerely invite you to pause, take a deep breath – in and out. Take a moment to gather your thoughts and be present to the inner peace deep within you. The guiding Scripture for this reflection is 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.   I invite you to read this sacred and beautiful passage.  Do this, preferably, before and after reading the reflection.

If you are anything like me, you are probably feeling drained, exhausted, and overwhelmed from the heaviness of life. From the constant news cycle, the uncertainty of the future, and tension in our country – there is always something grasping for our attention, pulling our gaze away from our Lord, Jesus Christ. To say, these past few months have been stressful would be an understatement. As a country, global community, and Body of Christ, we have been tried and tested in this perilous and precarious time. 

During this time, something that continuously has come up to me is the Body of Christ, and when one part of the Body is hurting, the whole Body aches, because we are all intertwined and connected, whether we want to believe it or not. We are all human beings, despite the color of our skin, nationality, sex, class, race, et cetera. We all belong to the human race, and when one facet of the human race is hurting – we all feel it. I believe this is what is happening to myself and others right now. In some fashion or another, we are all hurting, because the Body of Christ is hurting (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). 

It is easy to dismiss someone else’s perspective or beliefs that vary from our own, but when we do that, do we really grow as a person, community, or unified Body? It has been said that the only way we can improve is by being uncomfortable. I believe many of us face unbearable growing pains right now because we are being stretched and strengthened, in our human weakness.

I invite you to take this discomfort and bring it to Christ, bring the darkness into the light because that is the only way that things can be redeemed and healed. This time is a precious gift from God.   It allows us to take stock of our lives, priorities, biases, and sins. It is a time to self-reflect and grow into the beloved children and crucial parts of the Body of Christ that God has called us to become. To be courageous and fear not. 

"Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
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The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the best place to encounter God’s love, mercy, and healing, which is both supernatural and metaphysical. Doing an examination of conscience is a beautiful way of diving deeper into the mysteries and wonders of God and ourselves. The interior life and journey to holiness and self-discovery are lifelong journeys, and the road is not always pretty. In fact, the path is narrow and often arduous. However, the best things come from the most significant sacrifices, and all of our little “yeses” add up over time.  I have a profoundly keen love for the Italian language and culture after studying abroad and learning from my beloved Italian host family. Recently, I encountered an Italian saying that struck me deeply; “Senza tentazioni, senza onore.” It translates to, “Where there is no temptation, there is no glory.” Amen to that.  

St. Patrick - Reconcillation
Saturday 7:15-7:45 pm
Sunday 8-8:30am or by appointment ​

ST. JOSEPH - Reconciliation

• Thursdays from 7 - 8 pm
• Saturdays from 3:30 - 4:30 pm, except for Holy Saturday

St. Margaret Mary - Reconciliation
Saturday at 3:00pm-3:45pm or by appointment 
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Remember, brothers and sisters, the next time you are feeling pain and loneliness, remind yourself that we are part of the whole Body of Christ, and when one part of the Body hurts, we all feel it. 

“Nourished with his Body in the Eucharist, we already belong to the Body of Christ. When we rise on the last day, we ‘also will appear with him in glory.’ In expectation of that day, the believer’s Body and soul already participate in the dignity of belonging to Christ. This dignity entails the demand that he should treat with respect his own Body, but also the Body of every other person, especially the suffering: The Body [is meant] for the Lord, and the Lord for the Body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?... You are not your own...So, glorify God in your body” (CCC, 1003-1004).

Therefore, you are never alone in your loneliness or brokenness. Bring your fears, loneliness, sorrows, and pain to Jesus, because he wants to sit with you in that. He wants to heal those wounds that keep you up at night. He wants to share your joys and sorrows.   For when you are hurting my dear brothers and sisters, we all hurt. The whole Body of Christ hurts. 

P.S. You are not alone. 

With great love, 

Kathryn ​