September 1, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Corinthians 11.27-29)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

It is Labor Day and as such we are called to celebrate the achievements and commitments of the American workforce and to protect their rights. We do make “works” the true identity of the American Dream. As mighty ones of God, we know the value of a strong work ethic. It is our calling to be hard workers and good stewards of the gifts God has given to us for the welfare of others. We make the greatest mistake when we think we are working “for ourselves.” God is the center of our world and our universe! We are not. We are not even the most important people and definitely shouldn’t be the center of anyone’s world. We are called to serve one another and be the gracious host (hostess) God intends for us to be. That includes and prioritizes our spiritual lives as the most important response to God that we can offer. What we know, as mighty ones of God, is that we are to be committed no to works righteousness but righteous works. It is within this framework that we can best understand what is called “the Lord’s Supper.”

Each Sunday, or Thursday night at our house of worship, we are called to share in the fellowship of communion. As those who have followed by reflection series in this or other venues since 2006, I take issue with the way the “words of remembrance” are shared; if they are shared at all. I wonder if we do not cross some line of accountability by not following the words of institution which John and Paul remember “as from the Lord.” I do not mean the “bread and cup” but the actual words intentionally spoken as the “didache” of the sacrament. For those who are not familiar with the word didache, it is Greek for “instruction, the wisdom of learning.” Yes, Jesus was still the “Good Teacher” at the Passover table set in the Upper Room. Jesus did nothing without purpose and intentionality. He was aware of the toll grief and angst would take on such remembering the fellowship of faith to which He was calling His disciples. Through them, the Church was going to be built. A strong building not only needs a firm foundation, the rock of faith, but a well-constructed framework to support the whole of the house. The teachings of Jesus, such as the didache of the sacrament, was that framework. It was finely crafted as only a master carpenter could do. Jesus was a master carpenter having learned the craft of carpentry and stonemasonry from His earthly Father, Joseph of Nazareth. It was that experience which helped Him be able to plan and produce lessons which the people could remember in fashioning their own lives as houses of faith, and their houses of faith as sanctuaries of blessing and promise. At this point, I do not want to “labor” further for today as that is work for tomorrow. But I do want to share two thoughts which have been given to me as lessons of instruction concerning the didache of the sacrament which we call “The Lord’s Supper.” The two thoughts are merely the framework by which I will reflect the depth of meaning and purpose in the days to come.

1. The “bread” which the words of remembrance proclaim “is the body of Christ.” The breaking of that bread does not mean that Jesus’ body was literally broken but figuratively shared. It was a sign of true and focused fellowship which set the traditional breaking of the matzah bread of Passover from all other feasts and celebration.
2. The “cup” as the sign of the new covenant which we understand to be the figurative, and in some tradition the literal, blood of Christ shed for us as the substitution for our death because of sin is a cup of anointing. We do not pour the blood over but take the blood in. It is thus an inward blessing that becomes outwardly manifested in faith, hope and love; the greatest of these being, of course, love.

Consider these interpretations of the tradition of the didache of the sacrament called the Lord’s Supper as we work to celebrate work today. What is it that we are called to do and what is it that we are actually doing to fulfill what we are called to do: remembering. Shalom, y’all.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.