“I’m the vine; you’re the branches. Stay connected to me and you’ll produce much
fruit." ~ John 15:5
The older she got, the more emotionally
powerful the Lord's Table became to her.
Sometimes, amazing and wonderful things happened during communion. Like today!
Jayne watched from her usual pew as the middle-age woman
patiently pushed her mother in a wheelchair toward the altar. They seemed in no hurry. The priest would gladly have taken communion
to them, but Jayne figured the older woman had too much pride to allow it.
Her hair, once a shimmering black curtain was
now just a frilly white thing. Her
porcelain face had withered by time. Eyes once so bright they
could’ve saved souls, were now lost behind dark glasses – her vision gone
forever. She sat very still.
Jayne watched this same pair every
week, because every week it warmed her heart. When they reached the front of the church, the
daughter would humbly step aside and gently lift her mother’s hand so the host
could be placed in it.
After all, the daughter could’ve let her Mom put her hands
out randomly allowing the priest to find them. Or she could’ve taken the host
and put it in her mother’s hand herself, or even in her mouth.
That would’ve been more efficient, less time consuming. But instead she guided her Mom’s hand to the
right location, and let her mother do the rest. The word for that is support: to help
just as much as needed, and no more.
Jayne watched again in admiration as the daughter then received communion herself. She turned the
wheelchair around and returned to where they sat.
Jayne leaned back in her seat and said a prayer of thanks:
for the sensitivity of one human being to another, for the dedication needed to
bring the homebound to worship, and finally for the Eucharist itself.
Witnessing this simple act reminded her of the humility of
Jesus – humbling Himself in order to be exalted! This
example was meant to guide our human lives. When we humble ourselves in Christ’s name, we
can trust God to bless us.
The Lord’s Supper is rich in meaning. That’s why it’s been a prominent part of our
Christian tradition throughout the centuries. Sometimes it’s been allowed to become a
lifeless ritual, done more out of habit than with meaning. Let’s never forget that celebrating communion
marks the story of Jesus, how He gave Himself completely to give us a better
life, a new start, and a fresh relationship with God.
Father God, because Jesus’ body was broken for us, that
His blood was shed on our behalf, we acknowledge that He bore sin, sickness,
disease, sorrow, grief, fear, torment, brutality, and conflict for us. Through
His sacrifice, our freedom has been bought and paid for. We are forgiven. We are redeemed. We are grateful. Amen
