Our Piece of Christ

The Mount community welcomed a new postulant, Emily Bauer, in a prayer ritual at supper on August 18. As Prioress Esther Fangman introduced our newest community member, she noted that we are grateful Emily has joined us because she brings with her a little piece of Christ that we didn’t have before.

It is an intriguing concept to think of each person we encounter as having a piece of Christ we didn’t have before. Viewing everyone in this way would lead us to treat others with respect—reverence, even—and the joy of finding a missing piece of the puzzle that is the Body of Christ.

In my nightly examen, I have stopped asking “How was I aware of Christ today?” and now note particular aspects of Christ that I encounter—for example, “I was aware of Christ’s abundance today in the bushels of peaches Sharon Mathis gave us” or “I was aware of Christ’s generosity today in the way Sister Janelle shared some of her organ music with a Sophia Center retreatant.” Every day provides opportunities to learn more about God, with all of us holding a piece of God’s eternal presence.