Listen

I received a tradition from the Lord, which I also handed on to you: on the night on which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. After giving thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this to remember me.” He did the same thing with the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink it, do this to remember me.” Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you broadcast the death of the Lord until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Think

Communion is a feast of welcome and gratitude: Jesus welcomes all to the table, and we give thanks for the power of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

In that moment when Jesus takes the bread: the bread of the people, the bread of his community, the bread of his family, and invites us to the feasting table — we are invited to do the same.

In that moment when he took the cup: the cup of hope, the cup of new life, the cup of joy, and invites us to join in this joyous new day — we are invited to do the same.

Every time we approach this table (maybe even tonight in a Maundy Thursday service), may we do so with courage and gratitude: courage to see all people as welcome at the table, and gratitude that Christ is with us through it all.

Bruce Reyes-Chow

Pray

God, let me be open to experiencing a table wider, more just, and more loving than I have ever imagined. Amen.

Go

Go forth into the world with justice and compassion in your heart.

Give voice to the silent.
Give strength to the weak.
Hear one another.
See one another.
Care for one another.
And love one another.

It’s all that easy.
And it’s all that hard.