Cup

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

We share something in common with the Corinthians who Paul is writing to: a people living in a changing world and an increasingly globalized city with new traditions, cultures and spiritual practices. They had corrupted aspects of the church’s life. Paul writes to a forgetful people who have forgotten who they were.
Like the Corinthians, it may be easy to forget that that we belong to God; to forget that our individual spiritual experiences are not the destination of faith; to forget that we belong to a body—a community; to forget that we are not only sustained by our own willpower.
Communion is a recurring invitation to remember who we are and whose we are. To re-member ourselves. To re-attach ourselves to God and to the community of which we are a part.
The Christian observance of Holy Week coincides this year with the observance of the Jewish Passover, which began on March 25. Every time the Passover meal is celebrated, it invites Jewish people of every generation, place, and time to remember—not as if they were at the exodus, but that they were part of the exodus.
So it is for us with the Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples. We are invited to remember not as if we were at the table with them, but that we were at the table sharing that meal.
The body of Christ, broken for you. The cup of joy, given for you.
As often as you eat and drink, be re-membered. 

Bolded words are the words I considered important.  


Today is Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday.  Before the Last Supper (Passover Meal), Jesus washed the feet of the disciples showing community.  Our current communion comes from the meal, and I find it interesting when some Christian denominations do not allow all to come "to the table".  Communion is one of the sacraments that I do, indeed, consider Holy.  I think it is a reminder that we are together in community.  When I participate in communion, I am never alone because I am in some form of community.  Although I do believe in communion, I can't go as far as saying the bread is more than bread, and that the wine is more than wine/grape juice.  The significance that it is remembering and as Rethink shares re-membering.  I kinda like that. 

I think a lot could be said about the words, "They had corrupted aspects of the church's life."  I think refusing to serve some communion, not allowing some to be married in the church, deciding on women's rights issues, you know...  These seem to fit in the "corrupted aspects of the church's life."

I'm in Mexico and enjoying the throngs of people who are on holiday.  Easter is a three day holiday (Easter Triduum... I looked it up!).  In Mexico one will not find the Easter bunny, chocolate eggs, Peeps, etc.  It is a coming together of people.  It's really fun watching all of the people celebrate and be together.  Are all of the activities religious?  Nope.  I, however, appreciate that it is an important event of the year.  As I was having breakfast this morning, a busload of Mexicans passed the cafe.  The two Mexican waiters looked at the bus with disgust.  Later when I went to my chair on the beach, the family next had taken my table.  I went back for a new table, and Alejandro stated in disgust, "Mexicans!"  Growing up in a tourist area, I know the feeling.  The number of people is overwhelming, but I also think they should be able to enjoy a vacation in their own country.  I, for one, have enjoyed the music, the people, and the community. 

sunset