Today’s scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts(Don Clark):
“Oh no! Pastor Don! Look what those kids are doing!”
Not what a pastor wants to hear on a road trip.
My West Virginia youth and a group from Red Bird Mission in Kentucky had been invited to experience urban life by a pastor in New Jersey. We had enjoyed a boat ride around New York City, lots of beach time, an amusement park all to ourselves, and loads of food at every stop! We ended our trip at a church camp, and after a lake swim we had gathered for an informal worship and communion service with the youth playing guitars, singing, and praying together. Awesome. After the worship the youth continued singing and praying around the altar. More awesome! That’s when church lady shocked us by pointing what those “kids” were doing: a hungry guy took the leftover bread and juice off the altar and started passing it around! The youthful barefoot bathing suit crowd had apparently violated sacred space! Awesome! I gently reminded church lady that indeed the youth were having “communion.” Yep, these inexperienced believers had figured out what the folks at First Church in Corinth apparently hadn’t figured out, and apparently neither had my church lady chaperone. Community and communion are related words! These youth from two states had quickly bonded and were singing, praying, and, yes, even sharing the bread and drinking out of the communion chalice. Soon, we older folks had tears in our eyes as we realized “real church” was happening before our eyes.
There were no cliques. There was no us and them. There was no one left out of that sacred moment which I will never forget. “Church” should be folks coming together sharing in the life of Christ without regard to any imaginary outside boundaries or barriers. When we gather, it should bring out our best and not our worst selves. It’s a holy banquet. It’s a party. It’s a Love Feast! And all are invited!
Thought for the day: Do my daily actions invite persons to enter into the Christian life that I profess? Do I welcome all to participate in the grace-filled life of a believer or do my actions exclude others?
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.