Communion

It is ironic that the meal of remembrance that Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper divides those who believe Jesus is Lord. Jesus institutes Holy Communion as a gift of grace. Through the meal you participate in Christ's body and blood. Through this remembrance meal you are united as one. But of course Christians around the world today don't participate as one around the Lord's Table. What a shame.

Only twenty years after that original Last Supper an apostle of Jesus felt the same way I feel right now. He was Paul, and he was disappointed by how the remembrance meal was dividing the church in Corinth. "When you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it (1 Cor 11:18)." He says this is unacceptable. He reminds them of what he was told Jesus said at his Last Supper. He scolds them for turning the remembrance meal into a 1st Century kegger. He scolds them for not waiting for all the believers to be present. And then Paul gives us words that should shame Christians of 2008: "So then, brothers and sisters, when you come together, wait for one another (1 Cor 11:33)." Show hospitality when we gather for this remembrance meal. After all its is more than a remembrance it is a gift. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ (1 Cor 10:16)?"

Tonight is Maundy Thursday, which means "commandment" Thursday. When John describes the Last Supper in his Gospel he emphasizes Jesus' call for his followers to be servants and to be selfless in showing love. Jesus, the Lord, the Messiah, the Son of God, demonstrates this by washing the feet of the Twelve. He gives them a new commandment at the end of the meal: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another (John 13:32)."

Love, service, and hospitality is connected with the Last Supper and consequently connected to Holy Communion. This is why Paul is so flabbergasted by what has happened in Corinth. He writes them in order to set them straight. It's is why it a disgrace that this remembrance meal acts as point of division today in 2008.

Ultimately when I think about Holy Communion, and all those who have gathered at the table throughout the centuries, I cannot help but think of Jesus feeding the crowd of thousands during his ministry. It's an event so important it is described SIX (6) times in the four Gospels. The central message of these mass feedings is that Jesus feeds them all. No one is turned away. No one is forced to go fend for themselves for food. In Holy Communion Jesus tells us to come and eat with him. You are welcome. You are invited to be united with my body and blood. Come... you are welcome. Send no one away! Praise be to God for this amazing meal. I pray I see the day when all Christians will gather together around the table without a thought of turning any of God's children away.