I don’t know about you, but for me the arrival of fall seems to be associated with a whirlwind of activities. At the church, it is a time when new programs begin. This year that has meant planning and beginning Midweek @ Epiphany and Family Worship services, as well as the usual choir rehearsals, Sunday morning services and preparing for approaching Evensong and Lessons and Carols services. For many of us there are also busy school schedules and a return to regular work schedules after our summer vacations. Add in all the seasonal activities that we all try to fit in before the winter weather hits, and it is no wonder that fall flies by and we quickly find ourselves in the in midst of Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas.
During busy times like this, I find that I value moments that make me pause and reflect on something other than my own busy schedule. One of these moments occurred last week after our choir rehearsal. The choir had been working on an anthem for this coming Sunday. It isn’t particularly difficult, but it is quiet, with a rather haunting and lyrical melody that sticks in your head. The music was composed by David Ogden and text comes from words written by Teresa of Avila.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hand, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which he sees,
Yours are the feet with which he walks,
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands. Yours are the feet. Yours are the eyes.
As the beautiful text and music played over and over in my head for the next few days, I began to realize what a wonderful message these words contained. No matter what we are doing, or how busy we are, we are called to be the light of Christ in the world. How wonderful that with a little thought and intention, we can do this even in the midst of our busy, daily lives.
Faithfully,
Craig
