It Takes a Body
By Jim Cofield
“Christianity is to have one’s body shaped, one’s habits determined, in such a manner that the worship of God is unavoidable” (Stanley Hauerwas). A spiritual discipline is “an activity within our power—something we can do—which brings us to a point where we can do what we at present cannot do by direct effort” (Dallas Willard).
Practicing spiritual disciplines shape us so that we become the kind of person who more instinctively lives the kind of life that is pleasing to our Lord. That is to say, they change our being through our doing. They shape our souls through our actions. Or as neuroscientist Antonio Damasio puts it, “Mind is probably not conceivable without some sort of embodiment.” Our thoughts and desires arise in large part from the activity of our bodies.
The Gospel writers slow their narratives of Jesus to make sure we understand that what happened this week is absolutely crucial to the Gospel story. And as we read of Jesus’ activity during the week we see a man, among other things, given to communion with his Father (in prayer) and communion with his disciples (at the Last Supper). It is as if Jesus needs the influence and strength that comes from connecting with others.
Without the help of others, without a sense of touch and togetherness, it is very, very difficult to live out our calling in Christ. Like Christ, we need healthy and hefty doses of communion. We need others to influence our body to the point of being the kind of person that is pleasing to our Father.
May God help us this week to follow the path of Jesus, the way of surrender no matter what the ‘ask’, so that we glorify our Father. To do that will require a connection that our body feels so that it can move us in that direction.
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