Devotion - Wednesday, October 21

Scripture is the final rule and norm for our life together as Christians.  Scripture is the witness of the early community to the Way of Jesus, and to the debates/misunderstandings which are likely to affect the community which bears the name of Jesus.

In I Corinthians 11, Paul addresses the Eucharist.  He doesn't call it that. Paul repeats the words handed down to him from the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples, then goes on to instruct the young Church as to what the sharing of this particular meal ought to do for them.

In I Corinthians 11, the instructions speak of the way in which this meal is to unite us.  Paul speaks against the practice of some jumping in front of the line and eating their fill - perhaps even before others have arrived!  "If you are hungry, eat at home."  he tells us.

Too seldom do we turn to our bibles in order to be reminded why we do some of the things we do in Church, and why we do them.  When we gather, we gather in obedience to Jesus' instructions.  When we gather, we gather in order to build up one another and to care for one another.  When we gather, we look to the heavens from whence comes our help, but we also look to the side to see the need and the concerns of our fellow disciples.

The Eucharist celebrates God's compassion for us; it acknowledges the gifts of God for the people of God.  It also calls upon us to live out Jesus' life - to care for those about whom Jesus cares.