Vol. 3, Issue 1

Winter 2009

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Matthew
from the Lindisfarne Gospels
7th-8th century

from Morning and Evening
by C. H. Spurgeon

This Coming Christ
by Paul Lytle

Your Body and Blood
by J.E. Heath

What's Wrong With the World?
by G. K. Chesterton

The Gospel According to Proverbs
by Paul Lytle

By Your Hand
by Paul Lytle

Primum Mobile is a quarterly web magazine. This issue and all its contents are © Copyright 2004-2009 by the editors. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Your Body and Blood

a meditation on the Holy Sacrament

by J.E. Heath

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
-Matthew 26:26-28

O Lord God, I marvel at your Sacrament.

Your body was broken and torn, and is now brought to me for my benefit. And though I am not worthy to sit at your table, you call me. I have nothing to offer that can match your sacrifice. There is no gift I can bring. And yet, I am brought to your table to share in your supper.

I have not even the will nor strength to carry myself, but you lift me up with your grace. All the good I have to offer was first given to me through your grace. My Lord, I would be nothing, except you made me your child. And now, despite all my weaknesses, my inadequacies, and my sin, you give me a most precious gift: your body. I have not even the words to offer thanks, only tears and joy.

O Lord God, I marvel at your Sacrament.

Your body was pierced, and your blood poured out upon the dirt. Now it daily washes the dirt of my sin away. I am washed clean in your blood, and the stain of sin is gone. Lord, I may never understand how your love could be so great, but I pray that I shall be thankful.

You first turned water into wine, and now you turn wine into the promise of salvation. It is a mystery filled by the fountain of your grace. This small cup fills my soul. What can a man do in the face of such mercy but kneel and weep? All words are silenced by the quiet power of your grace.

O Lord God, I marvel at your Sacrament.

It is your Word that turns this wine and this bread into the power of salvation. By your Word, you created light. Your Word, spoken through the Prophets, declared salvation to the world. When your Word was made flesh you held up the bread and said, "This is my body." And you held up the wine and said, "This is my blood."

Certainly, Lord, your Word has power. By your Word you declare that this bread and this wine are your body and blood with the power to forgive sins for those who repent.

O Lord God, I marvel at your Sacrament.

Lord, I pray that I may take this gift worthily. I pray that through it you strengthen my faith, that you grant me wisdom, understanding, and courage so that I may declare your works to the world with boldness. I pray that my faith is strengthened and that I do not doubt your Word.

Lord, I know that as great as your Sacrament is, it is only a foretaste of the feast to come. Lord, I pray that you remember me and invite me to the marriage feast in your Kingdom. For my soul yearns to be free of this filthy body. Until that great day, I am a pilgrim walking through the desert, sustained by your grace alone.

Amen.