Commune

 July 28, 2020

Commune

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

Matthew 26: 26

 

 

This weekend during worship presented on YouTube I will offer Communion. I encourage all watching to have 2 items that can stand in for the communal bread and juice- crackers, bread, cake, a donut! Juice, a Bloody Mary, water, coffee will do as well! I encourage you to take part in both the joy and solemnity of the eucharistic moment.

 

Jesus, in instituting the communion meal was really just making a common event, Holy. For some people any eating event was Holy, as they were hungry, always, and to put food in their mouth might have seemed like a miracle from God! Common, common moments, common events and common lives- they can all be made Holy with the right intention. It does not take a mirrored image of an event to declare a moment “Holy”. I do not believe that God or Jesus looks upon anyone receiving communion with something other than bread and wine/juice as less than or unholy. God takes what is in the heart, within our intentions, and makes that Holy.

 

Certainly Jesus appreciates our attention to detail when we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. When the elements (bread and juice) are missing He still holds dear the one who throws their heart into the meaning of Communion and partakes with whatever is available or chosen.

 

And so, Holy moments occur all around us, in regular and seemingly mundane instants. A re-assuring glance for someone trying to do something hard, the first time. The gifting of another household, when another household delivers much needed groceries or formula they could not afford. The calming of one’s political anxiety for the sake of community wholeness. Returning anything, something of great or small monetary value that had been misplaced or lost. A resting of the conflicted heart, so that humanity can shine through resentment or fear.

 

Holy, Holy, Holy- Lord God of Hosts. These are words often reserved for prayer and often worship.

 

Let us reserve them for one another.

 

Rev. Ken