This morning, not surprisingly, we are going to talk about Holy Communion .
Because today, is a special day: it’s a Communion day!
And for some, this is the 738th time they’ve had communion. And that’s special.
And for one, today is the first time she’s having communion. And THAT’s special too.
Because Communion is special.
And every time that we have communion, it can be as special for us as the first time.
So – WHY is communion special?
Well, it brings us into community – communion – with God.
And Jesus talked a LOT about how important this was, and is, and always will be.
The Gospel passage this morning shows us that not everyone understood what he was talking about… they didn’t always understand that being the community of Christians was important.
Jesus starting out the passage by talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood – well now, that sounds slightly… weird. Awkward. Confusing.
It’s no wonder that some of the people hearing what Jesus said about this were a bit hesitant about participating in it. Eat your flesh, Jesus? Drink your blood? Can’t we just have fish and bread again?
And so they say “This teaching is difficult. Who can accept it?” and they leave.
And that’s okay – because they were in a different spiritual; place than where Jesus was at that point. That happens today too – sometimes our friends and families are in very different stages of their faith journey.
But: Jesus knew that his followers were ready for a celebration of community. And not just an earthly community – this wasn’t just some guys hanging out on a Tuesday night.
They were ready for a Holy Community.
This is why, when Jesus asked if they wanted to head out with the others, they declined – why would we? Simon Peter asks back. “YOU have the words of eternal life. We have learned – we now believe, we fully KNOW that you are the holy one of God!”
How beautiful for this group, who is acting on trust, on faith, on belief – on the feelings of their hearts! That they are called to follow Jesus.
And Jesus starts revealing to them some mysteries and wonders of heaven – and what it’s like to be connected to one another and to God in ways that are bigger and more astonishing than our human minds can perceive.
Jesus tells them – and us: whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will live in me, and I in them, and they will live *forever* in eternity. Those are powerful promises.
Because to live with Jesus – to live in the house of God – is an amazing place to be.
It’s where are souls are comfortable, where our souls desire to bring comfort to others.
It’s where we feel the most true version of ourselves – and try to help others feel that way about themselves too.
It’s where we feel, and know, and celebrate – being in the full presence of LOVE; and where we are keen to find ways to share love with those around us.
It’s what happens when we come to the Table of our Lord, and abide in him.
THIS is what communion is.
It’s a mystical, wonderful, amazing declaration of faith: a faith that is active in word and action – for communion is not merely receiving the elements of bread and/or wine.
It’s more than that.
*It’s an offering of thanksgiving to God: the word Eucharist translates from the Greek as “The Great Thanksgiving” – and so as we collectively thank God for the tremendous gift of Jesus, we also call to mind all those particular things in our own lives that we are grateful for. The little things like buttons and favourite colours; the big things like health and family.
*It’s a sacrament – one of 7 - an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace – meaning there is more going on with than just bread and wine, there’s a divine presence that we can’t explain; and never need to.
*It’s a gift from Jesus himself – his direct words and actions have shown us for centuries what it means to be in the real presence of God when we share this bread and this wine.
*It’s a promise from God – we receive the sanctification (meaning something that is set apart for special purpose) that comes from the sacrament, and in doing that we receive the promises that God has made throughout all time for all of God’s people. It’s one way for us to respond to God’s offers of love.
*It gets us thinking about how we are acting in the world and invites us to do better – the confession invites personal reflection on our actions; the peace invites us to put grievances aside for the sake of community; the prayer of humble access reminds us of how God wants us at the table no matter what (while encouraging us to do our best).
*It’s accessible: Jesus used bread and wine for a reason; partly as they were already used in meal-time prayers with that community, and partly because they are so easy to find. Almost anyone, anywhere, any time, can get their hands on a bit of bread and drink.
*It’s open to everyone: Jesus let anyone to the table who wanted to come, and invites us today to come to the banquet: even if we’re weird, or away from home, or not having a good day, or having the best day: The Communion is God’s way of saying “Hello! You are Welcome here! Join us for a meal!”
*It’s an inspiration – to receive the meal that God is offering, to enter into the Holy Community with Jesus; means that we know how good it is to be part of the community, and we want to continue that goodness for ourselves and for everyone else.
*And it’s a community event. You can’t have communion alone – it literally brings us together as the family of God.
It’s a BIG deal to receive the Holy Communion.
It’s a BIG celebration in the church to participate in the Holy Communion.
It’s a BIG moment to want Jesus in your heart so much that you come to church, and delight in the Holy Communion.
So our prayer today:
Jane: as you receive your first Holy Communion:
may you be filled with the love of God;
may you choose to follow Christ;
may you listen to the wisdom of the Spirit.
May you always know that you are blessed,
and may you always know that you are a blessing in the world.
And beloved of Christ: as you receive your Holy Communion today (of whatever number this is for you!)
may you be filled with the love of God;
may you choose to follow Christ;
may you listen to the wisdom of the Spirit.
May you always know that you are blessed,
and may you always know that you are a blessing in the world.
Thanks be to God for the privilege and pleasure of sharing in the Holy Communion of God.
Amen.
ALLELUIA!
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