October 10th, 2013 Commentary on Henri Nouwen's Daily Meditation

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Meditation--Breaking-Through-the-Boundaries.html?soid=1011221485028&aid=qi6W8Ap4A8I

In case the above link to Henri Nouwen’s Daily Meditation doesn’t work:

Thursday October 10, 2013 

Breaking Through the Boundaries

The sacrament of the Eucharist, as the sacrament of the presence of Christ among and within us, has the unique power to unite us into one body, irrespective of age, color, race or gender, emotional condition, economic status, or social background.  The Eucharist breaks through all these boundaries and creates the one body of Christ, living in the world as a vibrant sign of unity and community.

Jesus prays fervently to his Father:  "May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me" (John 17:21).  The Eucharist is the sacrament of this divine unity lived out among all people.

My Commentary:

Since I’ve been ahead on a lot of my reading for school, I’ve been exegeting a little more in preparation to sermonizing on Saturdays~  The seminary I’m currently studying at has fantastic study collections and commentaries on every book in the Bible.  This coming Sunday features an introductory story from the book of Ruth.  One of the facts this particular study guide talked about was the “Hesed” of God and of people.  Hesed is essentially a deep abiding covenantal loyalty and commitment—basically an intense relationship based on mutual reciprocity. “It is the voluntary act of extraordinary mercy or generosity going beyond the call of duty.  It is the manner of caring, committing, initiating and responding that God demonstrates in the concept of doing hesed, that becomes the definition of responsible human behavior.”

In relating this to coming to the table; It is GRACE in the form of food.  Christ Jesus ultimate act of love, commitment and loyalty to the cause of our salvation that his death upon the Cross imparts great mercy and generosity…  Generosity as GRACE is something we have received completely and utterly undeserved! Our coming to the table as children of God, part of the Body in true fellowship as family is a divine unity.  It is a divine unity given life by our faithful reciprocity—living in the light of GRACE fully renewed, restored through a covenant of Love.

God Bless Your Thursdays!

Nicole Collins