Henri Nouwen has this to say about the Church, as in the people, the Body of Christ….
Superabundant Grace
Over the centuries the Church has done enough to make any critical person want to leave it. Its history of violent crusades, pogroms, power struggles, oppression, excommunications, executions, manipulation of people and ideas, and constantly recurring divisions is there for everyone to see and be appalled by.
Can we believe that this is the same Church that carries in its center the Word of God and the sacraments of God’s healing love? Can we trust that in the midst of all its human brokenness the Church presents the broken body of Christ to the world as food for eternal life? Can we acknowledge that where sin is abundant grace is superabundant, and that where promises are broken over and again God’s promise stands unshaken? To believe is to answer yes to these questions.
I’m meditating on this today: the idea that God Almighty had it in mind to entrust us with His work, even though He knew and knows the crap we’re capable of.
He calls Peter a rock and me His Beloved.
Certainly I have to believe it if He says it, right?
Father, I love the Church in it’s many forms. I love that You are more than capable of making it all work even though we screw up much and often. It’s good to know that it’s really all up to You.
