Over and over again, the words “this is the blood of Christ shed for you” spilled out of my mouth. And as I repeated that phrase, I realized that I offered grace to each that dipped the bread into the juice. My hands. My voice. My unworthiness. My frantic Sunday-morning frustrations. My lack of experience distributing the elements. Myself, as a part of the Body of Christ, offering mercy and grace and forgiveness for those who would receive.
We have to do this. As members of the Body, we have to do this–there’s no one else who will extend this mercy and grace and forgiveness to others, in His name and by His death. And, this Sunday, I did. And they received.
Some immediately rose and got in line. Some knelt at the altar before they approached. Some held the hand of their very young or very old loved one. Others trickled in much later, after the line had dwindled. Some said “thank you.” Some said “amen.” Some just smiled. Others crossed themselves afterwards–forehead, heart, shoulder, shoulder. And some didn’t even make eye contact.
But that’s ok. I saw everyone of them.
And I saw how they each, in their own unique way, came forward. And I realized that it didn’t matter if they “amened” or cried. Or if they thanked me. Or thanked God.
All that mattered was that they approached with open hands.
All that mattered was that they received.
And I had to ask myself, in the midst of all my mumbling over the Blood: do I receive the very mercy I hold in my hands?
How’s it go? “It is in giving that we recieve.”
When’s the last time you really gave? Figuratively or literally held in your hands the very thing of faith and life for someone else? And how can we all do that more often?
Oh Mandy, you always ask the easiest questions.
I don’t know if this is exactly what you are looking for, but when I work in my church’s preschool class, I really feel like I am giving and showing Gods love, not only to the precious two year olds, but also to their parents.
And I am SURE their parents thank you, Tay!
Isn’t that so cool?! To observe this, we truly have to give. — not an event, but a lifestyle of practicing giving.. Otherwise we’re betraying the very Purpose for Whom we do it.
yep. It was a really really neat moment, Dean. One I won’t soon forget!
I had a situation today. I am a field adjuster for a major insurance company. I went out to see a vehicle and it was in pretty bad shape. An elderly lady came also (the owner). She talked and talked and cried as I was working. I stopped and listened at one point looking her straight in her eyes as she cried over her broken car. and she made a statement that blew me away… My blogpost tomorrow. “you’re like a non-alcoholic bartender Heidi” I looked at her quizically I suppose and she repeated it again. she said “only if people would stop and listen…. really listen” It’s the same way with communion if we really come to “stop” and really understand what He did on the cross for us. Do we really give that much?? To this lady”stopping in the busiest part of my day and staring in her eyes gave her value, just like the day He died for me, gave me value.
“Every heart has got a story. Listen for the ones nobody wants to hear.”
Well done.
That’s one heck of a story, H. I bet you hear all sorts of stuff in your office. I’m glad you were there for her.
I hold it in hands every day, but unfortunately it usually just comes out my fingertips. Once in a while, I do all right though.
As to how we can give more often, I think Heidi said it best. Listening shows others just how precious we believe them to be.
I think you’re right. And H is right. Just listen.
Once we realize how much we need it, we’re much quicker to give it. I’m so very thankful for the mercy I’ve received…it’s mind-boggling…
Excellent post.
mandy, that is beautiful … just that …
Wow. Thanks Debra.