This Is My Body
Recently writing about my current medical issues and concerns, I’ve decided that perhaps it is true: a picture is worth a thousand words. So, I’m sharing with all of you a picture of my body – an x-ray image of my torso. Although the image was taken in order to look for pneumonia, you can see my spine in it and, so, the interesting twists and turns of my backbone and deformity of my ribs. (Don’t say that I ever held back in bearing myself to you, letting you know me inside and out!)
Is it any wonder that surgery is not an option for me?
Last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. On this great day, we are called to ponder the wondrous and generous Mystery and mercy of Christ’s Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist – as he perpetually gives himself wholly to us, body, blood, soul, and divinity. We also call to mind the profound Mystery of the Incarnation itself. God, The Creator and Master of the Universe, became a human being, one of us, with his own human body to live, suffer, and die. This is the most sublime and awesome act of love and unity.
In contemplating Christ’s sacred body, I consider my own little one. Consider yours, as well. Each of us is a frail, lovely, odd little creature – known and loved by God. Every hair on my head is counted, every cell embraced, every moment that this body of mine grows and breathes and ages is held as exquisitely precious to my Lord and my God.
Of what shall I be afraid?
Be at peace, little one, live your life in your blessed little body and be not afraid, your soul rejoices in your eternal home always, says my Savior God to me…
© 2017 Christina Chase
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Christina Chase View All
Although crippled by disease, I'm fully alive in love. I write about the terrible beauty and sacred wonder of life, while living with physical disability and severe dependency. A revert to the Catholic faith through atheism, I'm not afraid to ask life's big questions. I explore what it means to be fully human through my weekly blog and have written a book: It's Good to Be Here, published by Sophia Institute Press.
Christina Chase 
Dear Christina,
You surpass yourself! A shame there’s all that ocean between us or I’d be round for a chat. I’m just setting up Francis Thompson’s Hound of Heaven for early August. If you don’t know it, seek it out on Gutenberg. Not 1,000,000 miles from your thinking here.
God bless,
Will.
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Hound of Heaven and Psalm 139 speak to my journey! Though we are across the pond from one another, I’m glad we can meet and share here. Pax Christi
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So beautiful!
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Just read your June 24, 2014, entry on the same topic–a difficult one for me: symbolic vs. “real” presence; ritual vs. actual experience. Impossible to understand. I’m glad that you had some moments of elevation, but you are right in saying that faith doesn’t often include those. What little faith I have is strengthened by words like yours. Thank you, Christina.
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P.S. Here’s another a friend whose words have strengthened my faith. Maybe you have met her before; certainly you have in spirit: https://apricelessthing.com/2017/06/24/a-sacred-heart/
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Just followed her blog, wonderful. Thank you for the introduction!
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Christina,
I have been drinking in your blog and have concluded that we are indeed kindred spirits. Though you are light years ahead of me, the Spirit fills and guides us both. May God continue to make use of us in whatever manner He wishes. Thank you for this profound reflection.
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The first post that I read on your blog was about the Sacred Heart – and I knew that I was in the right place! I’m quite sure that I’m not light years ahead of anyone, every day is part of the journey, full of pitfalls and adventure. Glad to meet you here on the journey! Pax Christi
Christina
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