I haven’t blogged for a while, so this might turn out to be a long one… I have a few thoughts that I have been writing in my journal about the last few days, and last Sunday… so I thought I would share them! I will start with last Sunday… this might take a few posts over the course of the afternoon… but I’m sure that won’t matter!
Communion
I was asked to lead the communion part of our Church service last Sunday (5th March), I had a couple of days to think about it, but to be honest I didn’t dedicate much time to preparing. I was busy at work, and straight after work on the Friday I went to visit mum in hospital (she had an operation on her foot), and then on Saturday I was running around a bit too… and I didn’t really think any more about it until I got up on Sunday morning.
I had to challenge myself about this, and ask myself why I had left it so late to prepare for what should be an act of remembering what Jesus did for me. I realised that I had let communion become something routine, just something else that takes place at Church, and it upset me that I should have let that happen.
I read through my bible a bit, and focused on the verse in Luke chapter 22, verse 19 where Jesus, at the last supper, says “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me”. Instead of taking the time at communion, to remember and pray, I had let it become something familiar, just something I did.
I wanted to share what I felt, and ask the congregation to join me in something a bit out of routine… so, instead of having some friends take the bread and grape juice (we use grape juice rather than wine) round to serve everyone, I asked two couples to stand at the front to serve, and asked everyone to make this communion something special, and to make a conscience effort to take part… to leave their seats and come to the front to share together.
I know that what I shared was quite personal, but I am glad that the congregation was receptive, and I know from their response that I was not alone in my feelings. We had a good time at communion last week, sharing together in a way that was just a bit different from the norm… and this week, it really did help me to focus more, and to pray to God in thanks for his wonderful sacrifice, whilst communion was served to us.
I find this is a problem too, especially with two small children it is difficult to concentrate and prepare properly for Communion, yet you're right, we should prepare and this is absolutely central to our belief as Christians. At the moment of Communion, when we follow Jesus's commandment to "do this in memory of me", we are transported to join the Apostles at the Last Supper. We are actually participating in this meal with Jesus in an eternal joining together of Christians past and present, linking us all through time.
If the apparitions at Medjugorje are authentic, then one of the messages that Jesus's mother has given us is: "You do not celebrate the Eucharist as you should. If you would know what grace and what gifts you receive, you would prepare yourselves for it each day for an hour at least." (1985) I am painfully aware that I fail regularly at this. You're absolutely right, we need to constantly reflect on this gift and challenge our familiarity with this blessing so that we are truly appreciating how fortunate we are to participate in this wonderful moment.
Posted by: Dragon Mama at March 12, 2006 10:10 PMThanks Claire... it is very reassuring to know that other people share in my own experience. And i will pray that you are able to find time for yourself to spend with our God who loves us! C x
Posted by: Catey at March 12, 2006 10:26 PM