22 July 2005

Within the Lord's Supper we share in an ethic. Paul draws calls us to consider this at the end of chapter 11 in 1 Corinthians.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. (1 Cor. 27-34a)

Who are we and why are we doing what we are doing? These are two very vital questions to ask when we gather for the Lord's Supper. We are what we eat...we are the body of Christ. We come to the meal so that as we leave the table we leave with the encouragement to be the body of Christ and a part of the Reign of God that is breaking into our time. No long will the turned-in-on-self work for us. Remember, we are a community built up on the fact that we are sustained and shaped by the one who is always given and shed for us. Immediately, we are invited to trust that story of Jesus and let go of all the ways we try to fend for ourselves. There is no better way to share with others than to begin to let go of ourselves for the welfare of other. When we put this Meal into a liturgical setting, it is not merely something we do in the sanctuary...it is what we do...it becomes us...it is our life together. No wonder Paul uses such strong language when teaching the Corinthians about how the Meal is to be eaten. The very life of the community was at issue here...not just the liturgical etiquette of the congregation. The brokenness within the body that we see around us today over issues that try to define our day are good examples of a body that refuses to discern the body that eats and drinks from the Lord's Table - together as one body.

Connection: It is enough to say that this Meal we share is all about connection. Therefore, as we move through the week away from the table and the Supper, prayerfully recall the night in which Jesus was betrayed and remember how the story came to life and unfolded...and then live the meal.

Lord of the Feast, when we gather in the name of your Beloved, we gather with the hope that we will be transformed by the real presence of Jesus in, with, and under the day in and day out life of your community of saints. Lift us up so that we will walk with you within your Reign. Amen.