Communion.
During my time at First Protestant Church, I've thought a lot about communion. I've shared it with folks in the Traditional service in the sanctuary, the Contemporary service in Schumann Hall, a bunch of guys gathered by the river / in a friend's house, with each of my Confirmation classes, and other places I'm sure.
You may have heard me say this before, but every time I participate in communion, I wonder what Jesus' original disciples would think about how we handle it. Most of the time it's so...institutional / organized. I don't know if they would even recognize what we're doing.
I mean, think about it. Jesus introduced this whole thing in a very intimate setting. He was sitting around with his best friends / fiercest / most faithful followers and He gave them a way to remember Him and the sacrifice He was about to make for them and all who would believe.
I can't imagine them doing it like we do: "OK, everybody get in line and I'll pass the plate of wafers and the tray of tiny cups!"
I really think they just got together with some food and drink and talked about Jesus...remembered Him...you know? I bet they laughed, I bet they cried, and I bet that for them it was as close as they could get to actually being with Jesus again.
You know what it's like when you get together with old friends and talk about the old times you shared. You laugh until your stomach hurts at the memories of that road trip. You cry together when you talk about the friend you lost. You just talk and reminisce and remember - and you honor those times and the people you shared them with.
That's communing. That's how I wish communion could be for us - every time.
Don't get me wrong. I understand the time issue and the relationship aspect required to really commune that way. But you can't blame a guy for wishing, can you?
Along these lines, a friend forwarded me an unpublished poem she found relating to communion. I'm going to give you a link to the page I think she found it on. The thoughts the author of the blog shares are much like mine here.
http://pleasepassthecheese.blogspot.com/2007/04/scots-form-in-suburbs.html
Peace - RevPhil
My New Church
5 weeks ago
2 comments:
The poem was stunning. Grabbed my attention and turned me toward the Father's waiting smile.
Thank you.
I love this poem because it is a constant temptation for me to enter church with my mask firmly in place disguising the fact that I'm a terrible sinner saved only by the work of Jesus.
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