October 9th, 2013 Commentary on Henri Nouwen's Daily Meditation

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Wednesday October 9, 2013 

Christ's Body, Our Body

When we gather for the Eucharist we gather in the Name of Jesus, who is calling us together to remember his death and resurrection in the breaking of the bread.  There he is truly among us.  "Where two or three meet in my name," he says, "I am there among them" (Matthew18:20).

The presence of Jesus among us and in the gifts of bread and wine are the same presence.  As we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread, we recognize him also in our brothers and sisters.  As we give one another the bread, saying:   "This is the Body of Christ," we give ourselves to each other saying:  "We are the Body of Christ."  It is one and the same giving, it is one and the same body, it is one and the same Christ.

My Commentary:

On many occasions I remember how lightly attended some of the Saturday services would be at St. Mark’s.  There was wonderful stewardship there however, for seemingly the least-suspecting ministries.  There was a young woman there who was devoted in making a huge stock pile of communion bread that she would have meticulously stored in the church freezer.  She would even further separate the loaves by Saturday and Sunday.  The Saturday loaves were about the size of a pita pocket.  In setting the table, we would always put aside two for the Saturday service.  During football season the likelihood of good attendance would dwindle down to Matthew 18:20 literally!  Did Pastor Jon choose to re-wrap the spare loaf?  No, we just started taking larger communing pieces as well as when we would be closing the service, Jesus would be offered a second time.

The tiny-service ritual of taking in a little “extra Jesus” gradually became a regular feature to better attended Saturday services where more bread would then be added.  “Where two or three are gathered” wasn’t taken with an aire of pessimism anymore, there was joy and GRACE in partaking as a church family.  It was quality time spent with each other and with the Lord!  Just like that Cursillo communion experience I recall from my first retreat…  GRACE was in the air and it was plenty to share!

God Bless Your Wednesdays!

Nicole Collins