I was thinking this morning in church about how, in a very real way, in our physical, natural psychologies, we are the current incarnations of our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. We carry their genes, and our brains are formed in similar patterns because of this genetic inheritance so that, frequently, we have similar tempers, behavioral patterns, personal interests, aptitudes, etc. This is alongside whatever behaviors and interests we may have picked up from observing and sharing with our parents, relatives, etc. One example was my observation of my uncle and cousin, from whom our part of the family had been separated for thirty years, and then only met briefly. It was intriguing to observe the similarity in behaviors even among the environmental differences one group being raised in Arkansas and the other in California.
I then began thinking, in terms of the dual psychology of Christians, of the Christ side of our psychology. Just as we who are currently on Earth are connected to Christ as the parts of a body to the head, so also have all those been who have remained in Christ throughout history. And, to be absent from the body is merely to be present with the Lord. There is no real death for those who are in Christ, therefore none of those who have gone before can truly be said to be dead. They were connected to Christ while in the body, and they are no less connected to Christ while in His presence. Because they are connected to Christ, and we are connected to Christ at the same time, we are also still connected to one another. Peter, Paul, John, Patrick, Nicholas, Ignatius, Polycarp, and every Saint who has been and is in Christ are all still a part of Him, and as a result, are a part of us as much as we are a part of them.
And so I was reflecting on this truth, that if you are in Christ, if you are remaining in Him and cooperating with Him, you are never alone. There is literally an entire army of brothers and sisters in Christ who are at your back and with whom you are connected just as the parts of the body are connected with one another and coordinate with one another through the head.
And then I was reminded of that scene in The Rise of Skywalker when Rey finally realizes that she isn't alone when facing down the evil that is a very powerful Sith Lord. She calls out to the Jedi who have come before her and are now one with the Force, "Be with me." And one by one, they answer her, "We're here. We're with you."
The only Christian who is truly alone is the one who has chosen to disconnect from the head and not remain in Christ. The Christian who remains in Him, inherits from Him the entire Kingdom of Heaven and all those dwelling within as brothers and sisters.
