Litany from Haiti (Jeanette Salley, Haiti)
1 Corinthians 12:26-27 (Message)
If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. 27You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this.
Leader: If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. When you have fed your children and sent them off to school, remember, the mothers and fathers that struggle to feed their children and struggle to provide a way for them to go to school. One part hurts.
Respondent: We are Christ’s body—oh Lord, what shall we do?
Leader: When you drink a cold glass of water from a cup or a bottle, remember, our sisters and brothers that have to walk miles with a bucket to collect water, carry it home, collect wood and other materials to make a fire to boil the contaminated water, and wait until it cools so they can drink. One part hurts.
Respondent: We are Christ’s body—oh Lord, what shall we do?
Leader: When you are sick, with or without health care you have access to some kind of medical attention. Remember our brothers and sisters that live with no infrastructure for healthcare or emergency services. One part hurts.
Respondent: We are Christ’s body—oh Lord, what shall we do?
Leader: In this season of excitement about continuing education, remember many of our brothers and sisters that were able to complete elementary and high school but can only dream of continuing their education because of their economic status. One part hurts.
Respondent: We are Christ’s body—oh Lord, what shall we do?
Leader: Well, keep in mind that some are called to go and be a witness to the social, political, economic and emotional injustices that are oppressive to the body of Christ. Some are called to listen, respond according to the Holy Spirit’s leading and use that that God has given you to participate in the healing. Remember…
All: We are Christ’s body—that’s who we are! We must never forget this.
Global Ministries missionary Jeanette Salley serves with the National Spiritual Council of Churches in Haiti (CONASPEH) as an assistant for disaster preparation and response, as well as a teacher at St. Andrew Seminary.