Whatsoever You Do
.....being Christ to others as we touch the hurting places of their lives
Hands at work,
outstretched to welcome,
comfort, heal, draw in.
Each gesture speaking of Christ,
touching wounds and healing pain.
Each gesture touching Christ himself
hurting as we hurt,
feeling as we feel:
cold, hunger, thirst, loneliness, need.
Through each gesture
we are touched ourselves.
Christ reaches out,
made flesh through human kindness.
‘This is my body’ —
these broken bodies,
these damaged lives.
‘This is my body’ — these simple gestures of humble service.
‘This is my body’ —
bread of compassion, broken for you,
cup of hospitality offered to you.
‘Do this in memory of me,’
and never forget,
I have no hands but yours,
no eyes or ears, no loving heart on earth but yours.
Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.
Whatsoever you do to the least of these... mine is the body you touch,
mine the hands reaching out.
Gemma Simmonds – Glimpses of the Divine
"Christ Has No Body Now but Yours"
Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which He looks with compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet which take Him to the needy.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours
Saint Teresa of Avila
A Prayer In the Morning
This is another day, Lord.
I don't know what it will bring forth,
but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
Make these words more than words,
and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
ECUSA Book of Common Prayer
A Prayer In the Evening
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work,
or watch, or weep this night,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend the sick, Lord Christ;
give rest to the weary,
bless the dying, soothe the suffering,
pity the afflicted, shield the joyous;
and all for your love’ sake. Amen.
Saint Augustine
