Today’s scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Steve Adams):
These scriptures speak loudly about the need to prepare our hearts for the sacred time when we will meet with Christ in the communion ritual. The Corinthians were encouraged to examine themselves beforehand, something that’s just as crucial today as it was back then.
When we meet with someone we love, admire, and respect, we prepare ourselves. For instance, let’s say you haven’t seen your parents, whom you love dearly, for several years because they live in another country; and it’s before the age of emails, skype, and phone messaging. The date when you will be getting on the airplane to go see them is fast approaching. You might start thinking of questions you want to ask them. For example, have you seen your doctor yet about those pains you were having in your chest which you mentioned in your last letter? And you might start planning to talk to them about issues you’d like to have their wisdom on. For example, you’re considering a major career change. And you’d even start gathering pictures to show them.
The main thing you’d want to prepare is your heart. You’d cultivate the more noble qualities, some of which have perhaps become less than you’d like in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (the fruit of the Spirit).
Proverbs 17:3 is a fantastic verse, telling us that God tests our hearts (NRSV). A test determines quality, as measured by a standard. God assesses what’s in our hearts. What are our deepest values, our deepest motives and intentions? What do we truly love? These are questions we need to ask ourselves before we partake of communion. It’s a time to go into the depths of our souls and humbly (but without shame) see where we’re falling short. The result of this preparation is that we are then free to clearly see the glory of the love of Christ. And when we embrace that, we are forever changed!
Thought for the day: God, we praise you for seeing us as we are with no pretenses! You make us honest. You make us humble. You make us genuine.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.