Today’s scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Michael Landon):
When I was growing up in the Presbyterian Church, communion was served only once a quarter. Children were not allowed to partake unless they had been confirmed, and at that time confirmation did not take place until the eighth grade. As I got older, some of the “rules” began to change and children were allowed to partake with parental permission, prior to being confirmed. Communion Sunday was always a special time. The Deacons took great pride in preparing the table, making sure that everything was just right; and the Elders took great pride in serving the congregation. It was a very solemn time in the service. I certainly did not understand all that was taking place as a young child, but I knew a few things: 1) Communion was something special; 2) Communion was a way of “connecting” with God and giving thanks to Jesus; and 3) As a child, I was not welcome to connect with God — I was intentionally excluded; I could watch but not participate.
As an inquisitive child who felt deeply connected to God, I was confused by this exclusion. My confusion only grew deeper when I was allowed to help the Deacons in the church kitchen clean up after communion. In the kitchen I was allowed to eat the bread and drink the juice, and I frequently got to take the leftovers home. Why could I eat and drink in the church kitchen and at home, but could not do so in the sanctuary during the worship service? My poor parents weren’t sure what to do with me or my questions. I do not recall what all was said when I began to ask my questions, but the end result was that I was allowed to start taking communion in the third grade. I will always be grateful to my parents for removing this unnecessary barrier in worship and for teaching me that all are truly welcome to connect with God in worship.
Communion has continued to be a very special experience for me over the years, even more since being able to take communion not just once a quarter, but weekly. For me, communion becomes a time of remembering and giving thanks for the new life that I daily receive from Jesus. It is a time of deep mystery and connection with God, with the rest of the congregation, and with all believers that have come before and will come after me. Communion is an opportunity to experience deep unity and healing. Communion shines a light on the beautiful reality that ALL are welcome and that Jesus came for ALL and invites ALL to come and participate, regardless of where we might be on our spiritual journey. Communion is a time where barriers collapse and become irrelevant.
In today’s scripture reading, Paul is reminding the Corinthians, and us, that we are to remember what we have received from Jesus. Paul received instructions from Jesus and is sharing them with others; but more importantly Jesus shared his whole being with us and established a new covenant with us. At communion we are reminded of Jesus’ death and resurrection, when he wiped out all barriers which prevented us from being in full relationship with God. In communion we are invited to receive into our very bodies all that Jesus has to share with the world; we are invited to remember.
Not only are we invited to remember all that Jesus has done and continues to do for us; but we are also to follow his example by sharing our whole being with one another, knocking down the barriers that get in the way of connecting with God. Just what have we received from Jesus that we can share: unconditional love, radical inclusivity and welcome, new life, and hope? Amazing gifts that have been shared with us and that we are in turn invited to share with this congregation and the world around us. Communion invites us to connect with one another and to share what Jesus has shared with us.
Thought for the day: How might I share what I have received from Jesus today?
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.