Body and Spirit

​Three years or so ago, I took up yoga as part of my regular personal devotional routine. I was doing yoga 2-3 times a week or more. It was incredible! Yoga is an awesome Body and Spirit practice! I love it! It was great for me. 
 
Christianity doesn’t do a very good job of connecting Body and Spirit. We do an amazing job of connecting Mind and Spirit, but not so much Body and Spirit. Yoga is awesome!
 
Then COVID hit. 
 
I tried to keep at it by doing yoga streaming on my laptop, but I really missed the communal aspect of it, like we get from coming to church for worship. Yoga is a worship practice, to me. I hope that we’re able to create community with you in our worship on Facebook Live. I realize it’s not the best substitute for worshipping in the sanctuary together, but I hope and pray it helps you stay connected.
 
Anyway, since being interim pastor at Fairmount, my commute and schedule have changed. I’ve stopped doing yoga. Even the classes are back in person, but they don’t fit my schedule so—it has gone by the wayside. 
 
Every now and then, I’ll run across something that hits me—something I wish I’d written.  I’ll pass it along to you in this blog, or I’ll quote it sermons, maybe even email it to you. Today is one of those days.
 
I’ve told you that I read Richard Rohr every day—he and his people are part of my daily devotional quiet time. Every week on Saturday, it’s a summary of the previous week’s devotions AND there’s a devotional practice. This week, it was on Body! It’s awesome! 
 
Do this prayer! Wow! It’s written by Jan Richardson, a writer, poet, artist, and ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. I wish I’d written this! Wonderful!

​Blessing the Body
 
This blessing takes
one look at you
and all it can say is
holy.
 
Holy hands.
Holy face.
Holy feet.
Holy everything
in between.
 
Holy even in pain.
Holy even when weary.
In brokenness, holy.
In shame, holy still.
Holy in delight.
Holy in distress.
Holy when being born.
Holy when we lay it down
at the hour of our death.
 
So, friend,
open your eyes
(holy eyes).
For one moment
see what this blessing sees,
this blessing that knows
how you have been formed
and knit together
in wonder and
in love.
 
Welcome this blessing
that folds its hands
in prayer
when it meets you;
receive this blessing
that wants to kneel
in reverence
before you--
you who are
temple,
sanctuary,
home for God
in this world.

Amen! Amen! Amen!
Body and Spirit!
Thank you, God. 
 
Grace and peace,
Scott
 
©Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons.