I just finished teaching the First Communion Class - one of my favorite things to do as a pastor. A group of mostly 2nd graders will be receiving Holy Communion for the first time during worship tomorrow morning. Their excitement is almost tangible, and it's not hard to tell the shy ones are a little nervous, too.
These children (and their parents) have heard how communion is a precious gift from God. Through the simplest meal - just bread and wine - we are reminded of our Lord's life and death on our behalf, and receive again and again God's grace and forgiveness as Jesus gives us himself in ways we can touch and taste. In this meal we are connected with the Hebrew slaves escaping from Egypt, the disciples celebrating the Passover with Jesus, the whole church throughout the centuries, and those we gather with around the table.
I'm so glad one of the lectionary texts for tomorrow is Acts 11:1-18 - Peter's explanation to the apostles of his vision of unclean foods and instruction to eat them, his visit to Cornelius, and his understanding that Jesus came even for the Gentiles. Refusing table fellowship with the "unclean outsiders" was no longer an option for Peter.
It's a BIG table we're called to. How hard it is to remember that we're not in charge of the guest list.
2 comments:
Rock on, Pastor Lindean! I loved your final comment. This is what I LOVE about SOV...all are welcome at the table! I have been turned away from communion at other churches because I didn't belong to that church. I'll bet Jesus was rolling His eyes at that one! Thanks for reminding us that we're not in charge of the guest list.
If we're not in charge of the guest list, why do we as a congregation and denomination make a concerted effort to keep baptized Christians away from the table? If Communion is a gift, why do we make children 'earn' it by attending classes and acquiring a level of understanding not required of baptism?
To be consistent with our theology, it seems we should commune everyone the day they are baptized, regardless of age. It is, after all, a sacrament requiring no mental assent, no 'right beliefs'. The standard eight year gap between baptism and first communion indicates either hypocrisy on our part or a weakness in our theology.
Post a Comment