October 3rd, 2013 Commentary on Henri Nouwen's Daily Meditation

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Meditation--A-Place-of-Vulnerability-and-Trust.html?soid=1011221485028&aid=ePuGuZ7ITUg

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

Thursday October 3, 2013 

A Place of Vulnerability and Trust

When we gather around the table and eat from the same loaf and drink from the same cup, we are most vulnerable to one another.  We cannot have a meal together in peace with guns hanging over our shoulders and pistols attached to our belts.  When we break bread together we leave our arms - whether they are physical or mental - at the door and enter into a place of mutual vulnerability and trust.

The beauty of the Eucharist is precisely that it is the place where a vulnerable God invites vulnerable people to come together in a peaceful meal.  When we break bread and give it to each other, fear vanishes and God becomes very close.

My Commentary:

I don’t know how many of you have been aware and praying for the open persecution of Christians in the middle east and the subtle persecutions of Christians here in America…  But when we think of the word sanctuary; does it hold deeper meaning to us today than it did during more innocent times?  The Psalm this Sunday echoes how we look to God for our refuge:

Psalm 62

¹For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

²He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

³How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

⁴Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah

⁵For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

⁶He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

⁷On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

⁸Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

⁹Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

¹⁰Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

¹¹Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,

¹²and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.

In light of this Psalm, we could hear these Words in our hearts as we come to the table.  We would especially hear these Words when we do put this world outside the sanctuary doors and focus open the table with no fear. I still find it hard to believe that ‘A Mighty Fortress,’ was a beer drinking song written by Luther… for as I hear that hymn beyond being the “Lutheran National Anthem,” I hear how God indeed protects us, guides us, leads and feeds us with His Word and at the Table of GRACE.  At the table of GRACE, our fears are surrendered, our hearts are opened and Christ Jesus calms and burgeons the soul with Hope eternal.

God Bless Your Thursdays!

Nicole Collins