The Christ Abides

Hearing Jesus say the word "abide" brings my mind to The Big Lebowski

This coming Sunday’s Gospel lesson has a déjà vu quality about it. We’re nearing (thankfully) the end of the Bread of Life Discourse in John’s account of the Good News of Christ Jesus, but this being the fourth consecutive week about Jesus and bread gives this week’s portion a repetitive, redundant quality. I find myself asking questions to see the spiritual meat in this story about bread. What do we need to hear in these words about the life of Jesus of Nazareth that impact us today? Why is this passage found in our Holy Scriptures? Maybe a helpful way of answering these questions stems from looking for what stands out in this passage.

One word caught the ear of my heart in today’s reading of the text. That word? Abide.

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” (John 6:56 italics added). If Jesus spoke on a metaphorical level when he talked about eating him, then we safely assert that Jesus did not mean that we literally live inside of him, nor does he live inside of us. This is not the plot of Alien 3 unfolding. Of course, that word abide conjures up another cult classic movie.

The Big Lebowski focuses upon the increasingly extraordinary events unfolding in the life of Jeffrey “the Dude” Lebowski. By no stretch of the imagination are the Dude’s actions virtuous—save for his penchant for justice regarding a rug and trying to help out a lady friend now and again. Regardless, the great Sam Elliott who played “the Stranger” ends the film by breaking the fourth wall, turning to the camera, and saying: “The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners.” Were that line not said in the deep, unmistakable voice of Sam Elliott I probably would not remember the dude abiding and taking her easy for all us sinners, but I do. And, while the Dude’s character runs crosswise of who Christ was and is, still a connection persists in my mind.

Christ does abide—not literally inside of us—but, in a way that is more real than anything else. Christ Jesus continues within us. In our hearts, our minds, our souls, and our collective being Jesus the Christ lives. We mystically connect with the one who lives on for us all sinners. We do this when we participate in Holy Communion. There we discover Christ dwelling in us both more clearly and more opaquely than at other times. As we put back together the Body of Christ, re-membering Jesus as we gather together as Christ’s Body here and now, we come in contact with the Truth that exists always: we are made in God’s image, house Christ within us, and are filled with God’s Spirit. What happens in Communion is always happening.

This truth so often evade our conscious knowing—like sand slipping between our fingertips. So, we must rely upon a deeper knowing to experience the reality of God dwelling within us. This week, slow down. Give yourself permission—even in the busy-ness of a new academic year—to stop. Maybe this means you will have to wake up early, sneak off during a lunch break, or stay up a little later to find some moments of quiet away from screens and other distractions. Whenever it is, allow yourself time to be still and become aware of the presence of Christ that abides in you. There’s nothing that you have to do to achieve this presence. That Divine light always shines in us all. Once you realize this truth stay there for a few moments. Like sitting together with an old friend who is completely fine talking and just as fine with silence be present with God. These moments of abiding with God are profound enough; however, once you make this realization allow this truth to pervade not only quiet moments, but your entire life. Christ dwells in you and we can dwell in him as we bring this truth to bear at all times and in all places.

Christ abides infinitely, I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowing that Christ is out there and in here too, Christ abiding within all us sinners.