This Mortal Coil

Once long ago I commented to Demetrios how cool his skin felt, although it was a hot day.

"Yes," he said, "my skin has always done a good job of keeping me cool."

And I was struck by how connected this man was with his body. And I thought that was rather a pity, as the body was mortal. He ought to identify more with his immortal soul. I was still an Episcohindubuddhapalian in those days.

Isn't our Christian teaching wonderful? We are not going to be forever cast adrift from our bodies, which are part of our very selves. We're going to have them back; we are going to praise God in our flesh, and see one another in our flesh. The body, too, is going to be resurrected and reunited with the soul. Transfigured and resurrected! It will no longer suffer the effects of time and grief and illness and old age, no longer be constrained by time or space; it will be young and radiant and glorious and instead of reflecting our sin, will show us to be the sons and daughters of God.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as he is. I John 3:2