10 October 2005

The Lord's Supper is the shape of the community of saints. Luther insisted on such a foundation as he takes on the medieval church as described by Paul Althaus in "The Theology of Martin Luther."

The medieval church simply could not understand the church as a real community because it was dominated by the moralistic principle that everyone must take of (himself). "Love begins at home."
Moralism is selfish in its very essence because it does not allow the community of saints to come into existence. Instead of establishing the community, moralism destroys it. (p.302-303)

I quoted these pieces in my sermon yesterday. The more I contemplated them, the more I saw this medieval church still alive today. I must admit I see it alive in many ways today (conditional love - manipulative god and the like) but this was one that really hit home. When we allow ourselves to fall back into a moralistic principle that will attempt to become the guiding force in the church, we lose the life that is called the body of Christ. Instead we become like any other self-centered group that cannot even be a "group." Have you noticed that the grand talk of "morality" within many segments of the church does nothing to establish community in the name of Jesus? Community in the name of Jesus is one in which morality does not come into play as a force that makes up the community. Rather, grace makes up the body of Christ. The community of saints is a holy bunch of folk because that is what we are called...that is the gift given to us...that is the really of the boat in which God places us. In that "boat" and in our churches will be the "good and bad." The so-called voices of morality we can hear on the air waves of our cultural/religious battles are trying to start our story with a demand that is really a gift. Morality cannot build community because we will always be looking over our shoulders at what others are doing or constantly doubting whether we can be in this community because we do not meet up to the life that is requested. We do not have to get ourselves in the boat, we are given a seat and placed into it - by grace. That is what it is to be a part of the holy community. We are placed into it...we are a part of it. Enfolded in such a story we take on a new life that flows from God's action. Let the moralist beat their chests and raise their pious heads so that they appear to themselves as being worth of God's love. For us...let us simply praise God for a gift so simple as Bread and Wine - the body and blood of Christ - given for life.

Connection: Praise give thanks to God first...praise and give thanks to God in between...praise and give thanks to God at the end of all things. In the middle of that kind of a day, we will be surprised by the life that begins to unfold around us...a life the moralists will never know as they continue to run around trying to make something of themselves. That's why it is good to invite these people to join us at the banquet...so that they will not be frustrated by their moral crusades and might find rest and life in Christ alone.

Lift us up, O God, so that we will stand on your gracious acts of love that become our acts and our life. Amen.