When did you
last experience suddenly understanding something that once confused and puzzled
you? Serendipity Bible 10th
Anniversary Edition, p.1619.
For
much of my life I have puzzled over what’s the best approach to Holy Communion.
While at the communion altar, I have
thought at one time or another that I should think of the last supper, that I
should think of Christians all over the world and throughout history who have
taken communion, that I should think of members of my own family, that I should
think of my sins and failures committed and forgiven, that I should think of the
fellowship within the church congregation I am now a part of, that I should
muster my forces for the days ahead. I
knew we frequently referred to communion as a celebration—but as to exactly what
I should celebrate was a mystery.
Suddenly last communion service it became very clear to me what should
be on my mind, what attitude I should take.
Pure and simple, my thoughts and prayers should express gratitude: gratitude for Jesus revealing for all time that God is love, and showing in
practical terms the nature and extent of that love; gratitude that Christ’s love constitutes
the essential, fundamental truth for my life, for the world, and for the heavens above;
gratitude that I can affirm and live daily within this truth, confidently resting within the arms of redemption protected there from eviscerating nihilism; gratitude for Christ’s death and resurrection, for
the blessings of a divine mission and doable tasks, for the gifts of belief and
faith, for redemption from death in all its confusing, stultifying, and
terrifying forms, for the freedom that only comes with salvation triumphing over
the fear and the power of dark principalities and powers found both within and
without the human heart. Communion is an
invitation to eternal life and thus the ultimate occasion for gratitude and tears
arising from springs of blessedness and peace.
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