Flesh & Blood - Week Three: "This Teaching Is Difficult"

Today, we conclude the three-part sermon series "Flesh & Blood: Mysteries of the Eucharist."  

We continue learning from the lectionary what it means to live in the community of Christ. This series is focused on the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Today: The Challenge of Communion

What do we do when we don’t fully get what it means?  Or have we been taught that it’s something exclusive? Or feel we’re not worthy? 

When we focus on the particulars and miss the meaning… 

Goblets, Formality, Barriers... 

One of my former churches had an unusual way of celebrating the Lord's Supper. At some point in its 140-plus-year history, it began using tiny silver goblets for Communion, which it only celebrated once a month. 

These were honest-to-God, silver-plated goblets that sat precariously on the trays used to distribute them.  

You can imagine what happened every single time we passed them around.  

We celebrated Communion every Sunday at our casual service because we didn't use the tiny, silver-plated goblets.  But because we used the tiny, silver-plated goblets at the traditional service, they only celebrated once a month.

And the people tasked to prepare all those tiny goblets were not the same people who stubbornly refused to move off the tiny goblets.  

Then, the worship team approached me and told me we would change things and make everything more formal.  I wasn't thrilled about it, but I decided there were other hills to die on, and it was better to go along to get along.  

The final straw was when I was approached by someone chosen by the person who had been behind the stubbornness about the goblets, informing me that the goblets needed to be re-plated in silver and that it would cost $10,000. 

I replied that if the person wanted them re-plated, they would need to come up with the money because we didn't have $10K for silver-plating the tiny goblets.  

They probably completed the silver plating after I left to move to Austin. If I were a betting man, I'd bet on it. 

So, let me give the tiny goblet folks the benefit of the doubt.  I'm sure they meant well, but they didn't realize how much of a barrier it was for so many people.  I had so many church members tell me how they dreaded having to pass the tray, and some even said they wouldn't come to church on Communion Sunday because they were afraid of spilling things.  

But like so many things in the Church, we often wrap our traditions, preferences, and stubbornness around Communion because we want what we want without much thought to how getting our way may hinder others' experiences. 

What if it’s so much more than we imagine it to be?

HOLY COMMUNION TEACHES US TO TAKE IN CHRIST, AND CARRY CHRIST INTO THE WORLD

John 6:56-59

56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

First things first, Jesus was speaking figuratively, not literally. 

The disciples were confused because the depth of it was escaping them. 

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

Jesus makes what appears to be an exclusive claim that alienates some. 

Those who took it literally couldn’t continue following him.  

67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Peter states the obvious: “Lord to whom can we go?” 

When we receive Holy Communion, we are signaling that even though we don’t have it all figured out, we are willing to come to the table.  

What Does This Teach Us? 

1. Accept that you are welcome at the table. 

2. Receive the deeper spiritual meaning of “indwelling” with Jesus. 

3. Share the Spirit of Christ with others.