There is a question as to how one is to interpret the word communion and whether it...means a congregation, group, community, gathering, and assembly, or refers to "participation" in the ordinary sixteenth century use of the term, that is, to being bound together with, participating with someone, an act of common participation, and having a common right to something (p.294)
Luther probably had an understanding of this communio as made up of saints, "a community of the holy," "a community of holy people," perhaps best expressed as a "holy community" or "a holy people." (p.295)
The community is shaped by what we call the meal. It is not simply an action "done up front." It is the life of us that is informed by the actions of the breaking and self-giving that we hear in the story of Jesus with his disciples as he moved forward to face whatever was to happen to him in Jerusalem. We know what happened...we know the details as we hear from the faithful witnesses of that day. And yet, this action and these words combine to make us a part of the whole life that is given and shed for us. We are not simply called a "church" or a "congregation" because we gather together with one another. We are called the "church" and followers of Jesus because we enter into the experience of the crucified one who invites us to take up his life and the freedom and vitality that comes from trusting in this way of utter graciousness. We are not a better-than-thou community. That is not the meaning of holy. We are a people set aside...or even...set into the middle of everything else as a gifted people who can live within a new realm even when that is so different from the many ways we can be pulled around every day. What a bold image it is to see ourselves as a "holy community." It is bold because it already has us defined by the one who dies before us and for us. That is some life to have among us...and we need an "us" to walk along as such a people.
Connection: As people who regularly are shaped by this Meal in worship, we are invited to go out and be a part of the shaping of the world. We don't do that with just words. In fact, we do it with life...just as our Lord did. How will we fit into that Eucharistic language today!?!
Holy are you, O God, and blessed are we to called your people and invited out into this day to walk along the ways of your beloved, Jesus. In the meantime of this day, we need to be inspired by your Spirit that we too will walk boldly into the loving service of others simply because we are called your own - a holy community. Amen.
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