I wrote a post on my blog earlier today along the lines of what Jon was writing about before he disappeared... (just kidding, I know he's around here somewhere..., coming back soon, right?) Anyway, thought I'd share... None of us out here (in what they call the "wild") should feel all alone in our inevitable pain, I know that much... I know pain makes us feel that way, but does it have to be so alienating? I don't think so. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see that in the gospel....
I also have a question...
What about the Lord's supper...?
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I rather think that the kitchen of an innkeeper wrongfully accused by history of being a harlot would be a safe place to lay down my burdens and sorrows. I believe she would have a willing and patient ear, a compassionately forgiving heart, a nonjudgemental spirit, and the grace that can only come from enduring thousands of years of slander. I also think that, if I would like to talk to anyone about Jesus, it would be this grandma more than any other person in history.
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14 comments:
What are your thoughts on the Lord's Supper - or rather what are your questions about it. I haven't ever given it much thought.
Wow, where to begin. I don't have much time right now to get into it, but I wonder if we are missing out by not being part of it, by not sharing it face to face with other believers (for those of us who don't). It is a very intimate thing, a good thing and refreshing as it is described in the scriptures, from what I see. Not sure how to define it. Is it just sharing a meal while we remember the Lord's sacrifice, or is it taking time aside within that meal, to meditate together...?
I'm just wondering what you all's thoughts are on this... I think it's important and I'm pondering about what it looks like outside of the IC. (We left the IC over 4 months ago...)It was meaningful to me in the IC in some ways. (I guess it is what you make of it there). Our congregation did it every Sunday. We formed a circle and passed around juice and crackers... In a way it didn't feel too private and personal, when so many people were around and others playing music or singing in the band (myself being one of them sometimes) But in an intimate setting I think it's really good... Brainstorming
When I was out of church for so long we talked about having the Lord's Supper in the original way - having friends over, having a full blown meal and (gasp) maybe some wine. We just are extremely lazy and never got around to it. The church we attend now does it every Sunday also - Episcopalian. It really doesn't mean too very much to me other than a way to be reminded and mindful of Christ's life and teaching.
This is actually something I've thought a lot about - wish I had more time to write it all out, but here are just a couple of thoughts:
1) I think participation in the Lord's Supper is extremely important for a lot of reasons - 1) it's an incredibly symbolic and intimate expression of both worship AND the unity of the body of Christ - which for those of us who are currently outside the IC may be even more important to remember - as for all that we may have been wounded by or lost within the IC, the people that are a part of it are still our brothers and sisters in Christ.
2) the active memory of Christ's sacrifice for us and our very real need for it comes alive within the context of the Lord's Supper in a unique way - Paul's words of caution about not taking it lightly, and examining our hearts before we participate, have always spoken to me about the importance of coming to Christ's Table - and to Him - with an honest and contrite heart
3) i miss it. i'm sure that now i'm a part of a church again it will become a more frequent activity in my worship, but there was a season in my life where i got to participate in it every week, and while i know that different churches have different ways of practicing communion, there was just something about walking to the front of our church building and being a part of a long line of worshipers doing the same thing - actively getting out of my seat to be a part of something bigger than myself, and meeting the eyes of my brothers and sisters - those i knew and those i didn't - that was so incredibly sacred. sometimes they'd be smiling. other times they'd be teary-eyed as the reality of their sin and the gift of God's grace had truly hit them (again). it was such a beautiful, multi-faceted experience... and to have someone offer you a piece of bread or hold the cup for you, and to look in your eyes and remind you: "this is the body of Christ, that was broken for you" or "this is the blood of Christ, that was shed for you" - I needed that. I still do. And I think He knew it - which is why it is still such a holy and sacred part of IC life - and so it should be part of ours... even if it means we find out when an IC near us serves communion, and if we'd be welcome. Many, many churches welcome anyone who professes faith in Christ to the table - and you never know what a gift that visit might end up being to you anyway, aside from the privilege of taking communion. ;)
Just a few thoughts...
Ok...here's my opinion! I think you can partake/celebrate/experience the Lord's Supper/Communion whenever you would like to...I don't think it has to be in a formal setting, and I also think you can do it any time anywhere...though I do think we should celebrate His life and death and grace for us together too. I think if you want to take communion with your family or with your spouse, then you should. I think whatever God has put on your heart to do, you should do. Sometimes that may be sharing a meal with friends in His honor, sometimes it may mean taking the actual cup and bread together or by yourself...but I agree that it is important. Personally I get more out of it when I'm not with a bunch of people - taking communion, that is. I don't think it has to look like anything in particular. I can remember one night when I used V8 and goldfish to represent His blood and His body as I took communion and sat with Him.
thanks for the thoughts y'all...
Michelle, how are you liking the Episcopalian church. When did you go back? Just wondering : )
Happy,
thanks for sharing. Yeah, there were some meaningful times in the IC, involving the Lord's supper, like you shared. But for me personally partaking with a smaller intimate group, where there isn't any large distractions would be more meaningful I think. Also, I was wondering, are you currently out of the IC? I wasn't totally clear from your response? What's your story? I need to check your brief bio or swing by your blog again. When I visited a while back it said your industry was "religion." Are you working in a church? Just curious about you. Sorry for bombarding you with questions... : )
Kari, what a novel idea to just partake with our immediate family, or even on our own : ) I mentioned it to Mike (my husband) the other day and he thought it would be good to do. We'll see how it happens or unravels and I'll let you all know.
Anyone else?
I'm with Kari. I don't like the symbolic. I LOVE the idea that remembering Him is done in the midst of the joy of eating and hanging with people. I miss it, really am hanging out for it. My cousin and I are going to have a communion meal together at some point.
Hey joining this discussion late but I thought I would share what we do.
Mostly once or twice a week we share the Lords Supper or as we call it communion as a family. We have an old rusty cross and cup that was likley an ash tray before it became our wine holder. We usually all take time to pray (kids included) then we have a short time of reflection (usually about 30 secs as my 4 year old can only be quiet for that long)then we break bread and share the "wine". I really enjoy it and if I was not so lazy would love to do it every night. we also do it when friends and family who are like beleivers come around for a meal. If we havent done it for a while the kids will ask for it ( not sure if it is spiritual or if it is beacause of the crusty bread and basamic vinagar and oil to dip it in :))
Hi Lou! Thanks for sharing this...love
Hi Lou! Thanks for sharing this...love
Manuela - hi! Sorry it took me a bit to get around to answering your question, but it required a bit of a longer explanation. :) You can find it here. :)
thanx! checked it out. I love learning more about new friends I meet online...
i enojy it for 2 reasons. it gives me time to reflect on the true nature of the sacrifice. while i hold the bread i allow my mind to go to "passion of the christ" type scenes and really imgaine what it was like for jesus in the physical sense.
then while holding the wine i contemplate jesus' words when he said that his blood contained a "new covenant." a covenant of freedom. a triumph over law. the old has been completely done away with, in god's eyes, and something completely new is happening in the spiritual realm. if only we would tap in!
secondly, i love the ancient feel of it. that in sharing in that act, i am sharing in an act that has been practiced by many for thousands of years.
i do it whenever i think about it. not usually with anybody. generally, i'm alone in the kitchen when the feeling comes on me. it hasn't for awhile, but then again, i find myself walking with these things firmly implanted in my mind more now as a matter of cuorse. perhaps that's why i don't get the feeling for it anymore. or perhaps i don't because i don't practice it very often. who knows?
JON! thanks for sharing... good to have you back, bro! ...yeah, there's something meaningful about holding the bread and the cup and meditating on what he suffered and accomplished...
I've never done this alone... it seems to be such a communal thing...hmm, we'll see
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