The Sacraments I – Holy Communion
March 24, 2010
In the Jewish Passover service, a youngster is given the task of asking the following question: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The answer is the story of the Exodus, the deliverance from Egypt marked by the “passover lamb.” Hebrew homes marked by the blood of the lamb were spared as the angel of death “passed over” them. The Passover story is told year by year in homes at Seder services, resembling the one we hold here on Maundy Thursday, when there is special meaning to the oft-read liturgy that says, “On the night he was betrayed…”
The youngest among us don’t hesitate to ask such questions. One within arm’s reach of you this morning might ask, “Why is this service different from other services?” What would you say?
Many of us come out of a tradition where communion was only celebrated “quarterly,” and since one of them was the July 4th weekend, even that rhythm was disrupted – it certainly would be in 2008. Most United Methodists are now in between that practice and that of weekly communion, and many are leaning that way. Why? Certainly our ancestor in the faith, John Wesley, would approve. He counted holy communion among the “means of grace,” and encouraged the faithful to receive it at least weekly. For him, a means of grace was one of several ways God reaches us with the gift of God’s loving and life giving presence.
The Jewish foundation from the Passover is a “memorial” element of holy communion. Communion tables often say across the front, “In remembrance of me,” citing Jesus’ words at the table with the disciples. There is also a forward looking and hope filled aspect to the sacrament. So we are not only remembering, we are envisioning a new future, renewed by the practice of holy communion. And unless we do “practice” the sacrament, we’ll not receive the benefit of it! Today, I hope you’ll listen anew to each aspect of the liturgy we repeat as we practice the sacrament.
So what is a sacrament anyway? In the United Methodist way, as with most Protestants, they are the things “instituted” by Jesus. Roman Catholics include a number of other sacraments, for a total of seven. Beyond communion and baptism, they include marriage, reconciliation, confirmation, holy orders, and anointing the sick.
This has been the latest installment in the summer series about worship. Next week, The Sacraments II – Baptism.
Pastor Steve