Nothing has caused more division in the church than that which was supposed to bring us together. – A frustrated pastor reflecting on the difficulty of running a Communion service that suits everyone.
I was reading Mark 14 a few days ago and came upon the passage describing the first communion:
And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14.22 – 25, ESV)
I couldn’t enjoy reading it for thinking of all the ways different traditions celebrate it, and I said to myself, “My being distracted by worrying about all the traditions isn’t right!” And the Lord seemed to say to me:
Jesus’ death on the cross to take away your sin is more important than the way you choose to celebrate it.
I find that thought liberating! The point is not the ceremony, the ritual. The point is the reality the ritual represents. I shared my new discovery with a friend who is a Catholic priest. He agreed, drawing the analogy to a beautiful building, newly constructed, still with the scaffolding in place. And people are more interested in the scaffolding than the building!
Reflecting on the “caused more division” quote I started this blog with, the priest said, “What causes the division and the barriers between people is a focus on the idea that my way is right, and yours is wrong.”
Here’s the reality:
Who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness. (1 Peter 2.24, NKJV)
Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3.18, NKJV)
In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Ephesians 1.7, NKJV)
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15.3, 4, NKJV)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (1 Corinthians 11.26, NKJV)
Amen
At Catholic Mass this morning, the Gospel readings were Luke 12:49-53. Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Our priest shared that the Eucharist divides people. Faith in Jesus Christ is not just believing the words in the Bible. God did, and does, things that are far beyond human comprehension, including giving us His Body and Blood, via Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper.
As a Catholic, I just believe.
Thanks for taking time to write, Art, and share another perspective. The Catholic priest I consulted with would probably say that Jesus certainly divides, but the Eucharist doesn’t have to. However, I appreciate your perspective, and I’m glad that you were taking time this morning to remember His death! Thanks again for writing.