Who Sparks Our Creative Passions, Who Comes to Us in the Bread and Wine<\/strong><\/p>

FORGIVENESS<\/p>

For much of my life I have seen Holy Communion only as a vehicle to wash away my sins and start again.\u00a0 I have many meaningful memories of times that I was weighed down with guilt.\u00a0 I came forward, and knelt at the communion rail to pour out my heart.\u00a0 For the most part I was able to walk back to my seat knowing that I was forgiven.\u00a0 This journey to the rail and receiving forgiveness has become what Holy Communion is about for most Christians.\u00a0 I don\u2019t believe that was Jesus\u2019 primary or original intent.\u00a0 In this blog I will share some of the other ways this Holy meal of bread and wine has been celebrated\u00a0 in hopes to enrich your experience and deepen your relationship to God and this sacrament.<\/p>

CELEBRATION<\/p>

Jesus was often compared with John the Baptist.\u00a0 One of the things JTB was about was calling people to holiness.\u00a0 He baptized people as a ritual washing of their sins, so they would be acceptable to God.\u00a0 He wore strange clothes and ate strange things like locusts to prove his devotion to God.\u00a0 Jesus on the other hand,\u00a0 came eating and drinking and was even accused by some to be a glutton and a drunkard.\u00a0 Jesus realized how important it is to celebrate God\u2019s goodness.\u00a0 Jesus drew a sharp distinction between himself and John.\u00a0 He said, \u201cOf those born of women, there is none greater that JTB.\u00a0 But, in the Kingdom of God, it is the least, who is the greatest.\u201d\u00a0 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\u2019s abundance.\u00a0 On another occasion a woman came into the house of a prominent community leader where Jesus was visiting.\u00a0 She broke open a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus\u2019 feet.\u00a0 Everyone thought he would scold her for her extravagance yet Jesus praised her.\u00a0 He said that it is not wrong to celebrate now, as there will come a time when you will be in morning.\u00a0 Celebrating good times is important as they don\u2019t always last.\u00a0 And memories of the good times can help during the difficult ones.<\/p>

BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY<\/p>

In this meal we we come forward to receive the real presence of Christ so it can go with us out into the community.\u00a0 We transform this presence of Jesus in our bodies to Christ\u2019s presence in the world through us.\u00a0 We take the bread and wine into us so that we can be bread and wine for the hungry and thirsting world.<\/p>

HEALING FOR THE SOUL<\/p>

Sometimes when I come to communion, I picture it as a way to be put back together again.\u00a0 As a pastor, people often share with me when tragic things are occurring in their lives.\u00a0 Some weeks it seems like a parade of illnesses and broken relationships.\u00a0 It might be one big thing or lots of little things.\u00a0 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.<\/p>

CONNECTING\u00a0<\/p>

On some Sundays I resonate with the oneness we share in this meal. \u00a0 We all get the same portion and so do Christians everywhere.\u00a0 The rich don\u2019t get to go first or the most deserving, we all take a turn and we keep Christ\u2019s table open to everyone.\u00a0 This meal connects us not only with each other but with all Christians throughout the world and those who have come before us.\u00a0 I sometimes picture the people in my life who have died who I reconnect with throughout though this simple meal.<\/p>

THIS<\/p>

When I share the words of institution I repeat the words of Jesus as He said, \u201cDo this in remembrance of me.\u201d\u00a0 I try to emphasize the word, \u201cthis.\u201d\u00a0 For me it is not just a word to describe the particular meal we are about to receive.\u00a0 It is also things Jesus did earlier that night, like the washing of feet, the gathering to celebrate, and sharing a meal.\u00a0 It even extends backward to remembering things He did throughout his life.\u00a0 Jesus is saying not only to \u201cRemember this,\u201d but to \u201cDo this in remembrance of Jesus.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>

INCLUSION<\/p>

In several places in the Gospels there are stories of Jesus eating and drinking.\u00a0 Who you ate with, said a lot about who your status.\u00a0 Jesus not only ate with religious leaders, He also at with tax collectors, and sinners.\u00a0 This word sinner is the same word for debtor.\u00a0 Sometimes he ate with both at the same meal?\u00a0 Was he trying to make peace between those who were at odds?\u00a0 This meal as we practice it is reflective of that spirit of inclusion.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to be baptized or confirmed or even be a member of our church.\u00a0 This is not our meal.\u00a0 We may serve it, but Jesus is the host.\u00a0 You don\u2019t even have to believe the same things that I do, about it.\u00a0 It is God\u2019s free gift to the world. \u00a0
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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.\u00a0 I have many meaningful memories of times that I was weighed down with guilt.\u00a0 I came forward, and knelt at the communion rail to pour out my heart.\u00a0 For the most part I<\/p>\n