Eat, Drink and Be Merry

My first experience with Communion (eating bread and drinking something 'grape-like' for the purpose of connecting with Jesus) was Spring Break 7th grade, at a camp I was invited to by a neighbor. My mom and I purchased my first bible at K-mart and off I went to Alabama to learn about God hang out with my friends.

I remember 3 things from that week: 

• snipe hunting, 
• rock slide in the creek, and 
• Communion.

Sitting in the back of the room, surrounded by teens and their leaders, the Preacher made it thoroughly clear that Communion was for the born-again Christian only, a very distinct and important litmus test. 

Only one boy in the room of 100+ kids dared to withhold from Communion that night, and he certainly wasn't me. I was completely unsure of what or who a Christian was, but was more weighed down at being singled out by not participating. In what is supposed to be one of the very few sacraments of the faith, I began my journey by lying to God and everyone within reach of my faith, or lack thereof.

This introduction (as well as my eternal struggle with grace) has had me approach Communion with dread, spending years to overcome the sin-hyperbole associated with standing before God. Of course we are to be pitied when before our Creator, embarrassed before our Forgiver, shy before the One who knows who we are. But not shamed to the point of avoidance, cowering in fear of retribution, of being placed where we deserve. The teachings of Jesus make this clear.

I respectfully disagree with that Preacher, and regret the leaders of our faith who build false doors to God, restitching the torn veil. It does no one any good in their faith or daily life to hinder their access to Jesus. In the context of youth camp, knowing the emotional challenges of each of us there, the Kingdom of God is not advanced by creating an atmosphere where an obviously large portion of the kids lie before each other and God to save face.

We will never be worthy of partaking in his flesh and blood, whether we are in or out of the faith. We accept Communion as a gift, not a remuneration for our efforts. We all begin this journey on the outside, and need to be welcomed in. I continue the struggle of feeling on the outside of God's grace. The redress for these times is to scandalously accept grace in the face of my own failures.

Communion is a remembrance of Jesus and His works, not a test of our bloodline or worthiness. 

Drink up, and fill your belly.

We scare me

Shared from a brother from a different mother...