Friday 16 August 2013

Friday - Communion - the love of God


Prayer:   God of the journey,  to You all our hearts are open, all desires known, and from You no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit so that we may perfectly love You and all of Your creation.  May we magnify Your holy name by the words and actions we do each day. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (adapted from the Book of Alternate Service  General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada,  1985.  pg 185)

Luke 24: 28 – 35

As Jesus and the disciples came near the village,  the disciples invite Jesus to stay with them.  The disciples offer hospitality to Jesus.   

It was nearing a meal time so Jesus reclined at table with the two disciples.   This is interesting in that the disciples ask Jesus to break the bread.   Jesus acts as host.  This was very unusual as usually the oldest male would be the host and serve others.   Perhaps they asked Jesus to be the host in deference to his teachings.      Suddenly,  as Jesus gives thanks for the bread,   the two disciples’  eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus.  Jesus then vanishes from their sight.  With great delight,  the two disciples return to Jerusalem and share with the other disciples what had happened on the road and at the breaking of bread.  

Each time we celebrate Communion,  we share in the Emmaus story.   Communion is more than breaking the bread and drinking the grape juice.  Communion is a reminder for all of us of the glorious life and ministry of Jesus.  Communion is a time for us to put aside our worries and concerns and centre our lives on God.   Communion is a time of hospitality where we invite everyone to share in the meal and remembrance of Jesus.  Communion is also a time of asking for forgiveness for those we have wronged.  It is in sharing the bread and grape juice at Communion that we remember again the Good News of Jesus.

Today,  reflect upon Communion.   Is there a celebration of Communion that sticks in your mind as being a glimpse of the glory of heaven?    What does Communion mean to you?

Prayer:  Holy God,  You gave us Your Son so that we could live in Communion with You.  We give You thanks and praise that Your Son broke bread and said, “Do this in Remembrance of Me”.   Lord,  cleanse us from all our sins.   We give You our thanks that Your Son took a cup of wine and said, “Drink this all of you.  This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for all of us and forgives us of our sins”.  Lord,  cleanse us from all our sins.  Help us to always remember the gift of Your Son in our remembrance of Him.  Amen.

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