Easter - Proprioception Sense
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the women] came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly, two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day would rise again.” Luke 24:1-7
Over the past few weeks, we’ve considered how a deeper exploration of our senses might open up scripture to us, enlighten our faith, and lead us into a deeper relationship with our own selves, with God, and with our community. And now we’ve arrived at Easter! (He is risen! He is risen, indeed!) The women show up at Jesus’ tomb, expecting one thing and getting something very different. “He is not here, but has risen.” With Jesus’ resurrection, death has been defeated, and Jesus is on the move again.
This Easter Sunday, you’re invited to consider proprioception. Proprioception is the sense that tells our body where it is in space. Some examples of proprioception in action are: being able to close our eyes and touch our nose with our index fingers; and throwing a ball without having to look at our throwing arm. This sense helps us know where each body part is in relation to our other body parts without having to really *think* about it.
Throughout this series, we’ve been focusing a lot on our own physical bodies. Today, the invitation is to consider proprioception within the Body of Christ. Are we aware of our place within the body? Is it natural for those body parts to easily work in coordination with one another? I’d like to imagine the Holy Spirit acting as modified proprioceptor sensors, not only helping us know when different parts of the body are being stretched and moved, but also inspiring that stretching and moving. When the Spirit moves us, can we close our eyes and touch our nose (feed the hungry; rally around the brokenhearted and beaten down; advocate for peace) successfully in coordination with one another?
Invitation: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of your own belonging within the Body of Christ? Consider taking one step deeper into Christian community. Pray for this awareness to be a part of your life, and pray for the whole Body.
Prayer: Holy God, who has beaten death and made a way for all to experience everlasting life, as we seek to be the Body of Christ here on earth, bind us together and help us move as one body, united by our trust in the truth of Jesus as Lord. Alleluia and Amen!