Who Sparks Our Creative Passions, Who Comes to Us in the Bread and Wine
FORGIVENESS
For much of my life I have seen Holy Communion only as a vehicle to wash away my sins and start again. I have many meaningful memories of times that I was weighed down with guilt. I came forward, and knelt at the communion rail to pour out my heart. For the most part I was able to walk back to my seat knowing that I was forgiven. This journey to the rail and receiving forgiveness has become what Holy Communion is about for most Christians. I don’t believe that was Jesus’ primary or original intent. In this blog I will share some of the other ways this Holy meal of bread and wine has been celebrated in hopes to enrich your experience and deepen your relationship to God and this sacrament.
CELEBRATION
Jesus was often compared with John the Baptist. One of the things JTB was about was calling people to holiness. He baptized people as a ritual washing of their sins, so they would be acceptable to God. He wore strange clothes and ate strange things like locusts to prove his devotion to God. Jesus on the other hand, came eating and drinking and was even accused by some to be a glutton and a drunkard. Jesus realized how important it is to celebrate God’s goodness. Jesus drew a sharp distinction between himself and John. He said, “Of those born of women, there is none greater that JTB. But, in the Kingdom of God, it is the least, who is the greatest.” My point is not that we should eat and drink as much as we please but rather that we can at special times, not be afraid to celebrate God’s abundance. On another occasion a woman came into the house of a prominent community leader where Jesus was visiting. She broke open a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. Everyone thought he would scold her for her extravagance yet Jesus praised her. He said that it is not wrong to celebrate now, as there will come a time when you will be in morning. Celebrating good times is important as they don’t always last. And memories of the good times can help during the difficult ones.
BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY
In this meal we we come forward to receive the real presence of Christ so it can go with us out into the community. We transform this presence of Jesus in our bodies to Christ’s presence in the world through us. We take the bread and wine into us so that we can be bread and wine for the hungry and thirsting world.
HEALING FOR THE SOUL
Sometimes when I come to communion, I picture it as a way to be put back together again. As a pastor, people often share with me when tragic things are occurring in their lives. Some weeks it seems like a parade of illnesses and broken relationships. It might be one big thing or lots of little things. I picture the holy spirit embodied in bread and wine, entering my soul through my body and seeking out the broken places and healing them and making me whole.
CONNECTING
On some Sundays I resonate with the oneness we share in this meal. We all get the same portion and so do Christians everywhere. The rich don’t get to go first or the most deserving, we all take a turn and we keep Christ’s table open to everyone. This meal connects us not only with each other but with all Christians throughout the world and those who have come before us. I sometimes picture the people in my life who have died who I reconnect with throughout though this simple meal.
THIS
When I share the words of institution I repeat the words of Jesus as He said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” I try to emphasize the word, “this.” For me it is not just a word to describe the particular meal we are about to receive. It is also things Jesus did earlier that night, like the washing of feet, the gathering to celebrate, and sharing a meal. It even extends backward to remembering things He did throughout his life. Jesus is saying not only to “Remember this,” but to “Do this in remembrance of Jesus.”
INCLUSION
In several places in the Gospels there are stories of Jesus eating and drinking. Who you ate with, said a lot about who your status. Jesus not only ate with religious leaders, He also at with tax collectors, and sinners. This word sinner is the same word for debtor. Sometimes he ate with both at the same meal? Was he trying to make peace between those who were at odds? This meal as we practice it is reflective of that spirit of inclusion. You don’t have to be baptized or confirmed or even be a member of our church. This is not our meal. We may serve it, but Jesus is the host. You don’t even have to believe the same things that I do, about it. It is God’s free gift to the world.