What are people’s main desires at the time?Is there a widespread desire to end the pandemic, a hope that the financial crisis will not reach us, a desire to return to normal life, the hope that this general state of anxiety and anguish will cease?Exist? There are definitely several of them. There is also, in most of us, an interest in being able to re-socialize, see us, be able to shake hands, shake hands (without having to clean them immediately with alcohol gel), have lunch together, to look each other in the eye?For Christians, this also translates into a desire to return to worship, meet and dine together.
Why don’t we just quench that thirst, technology, social media, video calls, Zoom, Google Meeting and more?We know, in our bones, the answer to this question, is it one?Yes? Half displaced, with his head slightly turned, indicating that there is an aspect of the answer that would also be a “no”. In our ordinary experience, we realize that even if there is a simultaneous time and some kind of meeting these days, don’t we appreciate each other in the same way?We must be grateful for what we have been through and for having so many resources at that time to stay close even at bay, however, we cannot ignore that something is missing. But what would it be?
- There are many answers to this question.
- But I would like to point out one that part of human nature: we lack to be present in body and soul.
- That is.
- The integral man has no encounter with other integral men in space-time.
- To better understand this answer.
- It is necessary to return to the biblical teaching about who man is.
- Man is not simply an animal.
- Nor someone who was born by chance.
- Impersonally.
- Human beings are not simply soulless matters; at the same time.
- The body of man is not the prison of the soul.
- Biblically.
- The human being was created by a personal God.
- In his image and likeness.
- Body and soul in unity.
Man’s creation, recounted in Genesis 1 and 2, shows that it was formed differently: made of the dust of the earth by God, he had the breath of life in his nose, and became a living soul, so, as Bavinck said, to unite and reconcile in him heaven and earth, invisible and visible things?(Dogmatic, v. II, p. 566) . The woman was formed from the man’s body, from his rib. In this simple account, we realize that we are not ethereal but physical beings, and this, as God said at the end of creation, is very good. Corporation is part of human nature, it is part of God’s image in man.
As a result of biblical history, we see how sin and fall have completely affected the world, including the physical world: thistles and thistles. The universe has been continuously affected and groans waiting for restoration (read Romans 8. 18-25). The man and woman began to feel ashamed of their naked bodies. Death? He entered the world and began to share what was not supposed to be divided. The unit broke. Sin would affect the body and soul, all man. See, for example, Psalm 32, verse 3: While the Psalmist suffocated his sin, his bones ageed, he was tired and weak.
How would our redemption come? From the Old Testament, the bloodshed of the lambs, the physical offerings, the purifications of the body, can we already see the link between Redemption and the physical world?For Christians, the physical world is not bad in itself, on the contrary. , remember that one of the ways God reveals Himself is exactly through him (see Psalm 19 and Rom 1:18). In the New Testament, we have an account of a wonderful miracle and a testimony of the importance of our bodies: the incarnation. (Mt 1: 18-23)!
Jesus Christ, the Son-God, who enjoyed eternal glory with the Father (John 17:4-5), emptied himself, becoming like men?(Fp 2. 7). Our savior was born to a woman (like me, you, and everyone who came after the first couple) Are you surprised?On the one hand, yes. On the other hand, the incarnation makes sense when we remember that God created us in his image and likeness. The body is important in Christianity! So important that the Apostle John, in his first epistle, puts it as proof of true faith by affirming that Christ came to the flesh (1 John 4. 2).
We could say more about this: Jesus lived, ate, fraternized, had physical fellowship with his disciples, experienced physical death, was bodily resurrected, and ascended to heaven in body (Luke 24:50-53). Sacrament, Jesus placed bodily communion as an important element in making us wait for the day When He will drink the new wine with us again (read Mt 26:26-30). Jesus said, “From this hour, will you not drink from this fruit of the vine, until the day I drink it again with you in the kingdom of my Father?(v. 29) That’s one of our expectations! At the Weddings of the Lamb (Apo. 19:7-9), we will dine with the Lord Jesus, like his apostles, but even more gloriously!We will see it face to face (1Co 13. 12), we will be by his side, we will share with him the sweetest wine in the most beautiful Then we pray Maranata!And when he comes, he will also return physically (Acts 1:10-11).
All these realities show us the importance of physical presence, the human body is an essential part of the experience of true communion, not in vain communication implies more than the sounds that come out of our mouth, but the tone we use, facial and bodily expressions, touch?The human being is a unity of body and soul, that is one of the reasons why we lack, even if we are blessed to enjoy the divine grace of seeing and speaking using technological resources.
What should lead us to consider all this? First, take care of yourself completely, in body and soul. There are advantages in physical activity (2 Tim 3. 16), especially at times when immunity should be particularly high. Second, value the people close to you today. Even in the midst of isolation, do you enjoy a more complete communion with them?take out your cell phone, turn off the TV. Third, be grateful for ways to connect with people in times of crisis!Make sure you take advantage of this blessing. Virtual meeting, chat, video call, call, text message?Finally, when we meet again, we value more the occasions of personal companionship, the moments together at the table, the celebrations with the people we love, the walks on the beach and the parks, the chances of meeting our friends. brethren in Christ, may we not live a disembodied Christianity!