September 8, 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 in respect to the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself [or herself], then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup [in a worthy manner]. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself [or herself].”  (1 Corinthians 11.27-29)

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

Paul took the didache of the sacrament of communion seriously. We do not read of this particular admonition anywhere in the gospels or in the works of the early Church Fathers. Of course, the apostle Paul who was a Pharisee and a student of Gamliel, would have taken such celebrations and sacraments with a dire sense of urgency. The remembrance of the sacrifice which Jesus paid on the cross of Calvary would have been critical to the remembrance of one’s own salvation experience. Paul’s transformation from being such a Pharisaic devotee to the rituals, religion and faith of the Torah and the Abrahamic Covenant as Saul of Tarsus to being a zealot for Christ is scripturally “legendary.” We know that on his way to the synagogues of Damascus to purge them of any followers of “The Way,” the resurrected and glorified Christ of God appeared to him. He called out to Saul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” He was struck blind by the shekinah glory of Christ and for three days was blind. It was not until a chosen follower named Ananias (not to be confused with Ananias who with his wife Sapphira attempted to defraud the early community of faith outside of Jerusalem) living in Damascus came to him, anointed him and prayed over him as instructed by Jesus that his sight was restored. Would that all of our conversion experiences would be as traumatic and dramatic as that! If they were, then perhaps the Church as a whole would be more fervent and committed to its mission and purpose. That is not how God works, however, as He calls every person to a living relationship with Him through Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth. We certainly all have moments of crisis and urgency in our lives which have been overcome by putting our faith in Jesus who is the Christ of God. It is true “All things are possible [to effect our salvation] with God having been proven to be impossible by the works of human beings.” Without Him as our Lord and Savior, embracing anything else in and of the world to be the “savior” of our lives, would prove futile and fatal for us. This is the fervency which fueled Paul’s instruction concerning the didache of the sacrament of communion. In fact, while Paul teaches of other sacraments such as baptism by water and that of the Spirit and the proper use of worship and spiritual gifts, it is the sacrament of communion (especially at Corinth) that is given such a determined vital place in the lives of the believers.

Reread today’s “Word from God” found in 1 Corinthians 11.27-29. The call for each participant in the service of communion is to examine themselves before partaking of the bread of fellowship and the cup of the new covenant. Paul says with poignancy, “…for anyone who eats and drink without discerning the body….” I will put aside his mention of consequences. Far too many who read Paul’s words of instruction here tend to gloss over them anyway and are willing to discredit him on this even while they hold on to other of his teachings tenaciously. Can you imagine if in your own worship community those words were shared every time communion was offered? Either they would be taken seriously and there might be a mad scramble to make things right with those whom they had some offense with or little communion would be shared that day. Such serious is not a bad thing. What does it mean to “discern the body”? Isn’t it speaking first and foremost to remembering the price paid on Calvary physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually to Jesus Himself? His body was whipped, beaten, pierced, slashed and stripped. He was belittled, beleaguered, badgered and spat upon, cursed and laughed at. He was mocked, reviled and exposed before man and God. He experienced the abandonment of His followers save for John and the Marys and He felt the depth of emptiness even to the depth of His soul sensing the absence of His Father’s presence and thus His blessing. Are we thinking about all of that when it comes our taking communion? Have we put our thoughts and agendas in proper priority between ourselves and God in true thanksgiving and in humble solemnity for what has happened, is happening and will happen in the time yet to come? Isn’t Paul also speaking of the body of believers joined together in a community of faith believing truly and without equivocation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who was given to the world as the substitutionary sacrifice for our own lives? Are we considering the witness our lives and our participation within “the body of Christ” in light of what it says to one another and more importantly to the world? Are we feeling the whole moment to the depth of our souls? Is this something that we can even do, and are practiced at, in the course of most worship services which function on a time line more than God’s time? In the midst of the noise of meditations and music, are we able to find rest in our souls no matter how uncomfortable and there be in literal and figurative communion with Christ Himself to say thank you for saving us from eternal death and damnation?

Wow, this communion thing may actually be more important than many make it out to be. It is not a checkbox on the worship agenda to be passed through semi-casually. Properly taught, the message “at the table” should always refine and define any other message presented that day. Well, that is what I believe and this is my reflection on the subject. I suppose you can see my serious heart, mind and spirit on the matter. It doesn’t make my word authoritative for anyone else but it is for me and it is my testimony and witness to those around me. Do they know it? Am I in community with those around me? Are we each so individualized in such a corporate manner that we are loosely connected and safely left on our own to do as we please? Oh, mighty ones of God in Christ Jesus, I urge you to “discern the body” and find the moment transformative whenever you gather to break bread.

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.