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This month we begin our annual journey through the season of Lent, a time of
preparing ourselves and reflecting on the events of Holy Week – Jesus’ entry
into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his arrest, trial, and crucifixion, and finally
his resurrection. This is also the time when I work with several of our young
teenagers in confirmation as they grow in their understanding of being disciples
of Jesus and members of his church. As we begin this journey, I want to share
with you some thoughts on the Lord’s Supper.
First – a word to our parents. Our Presbyterian Directory for Worship states,
“Baptized children who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of
the invitation to the Table and the meaning of their response are invited to
receive the Lord’s Supper, recognizing that their understanding of participation
will vary according to their maturity.” There was a day when children could not
receive the Lord’s Supper until they had completed confirmation somewhere around
middle school age, and you can be sure that I still discuss the Lord’s Supper
during confirmation every year. However, the wording of our Directory for
Worship shows how practice has evolved to put much more responsibility on you
the parents. I agree with the change and believe that children should receive
the Lord’s Supper with their parents who should be explaining to them its
meaning. I believe our children learn best when they are able to engage in our
religious practices alongside of us. They learn how to pray when they pray with
us. They learn how to sing hymns as they sing with us. They learn to engage in
mission work as they do it alongside us. And they learn about the Lord’s Supper
as they come to the table with us. Obviously, with each of these practices we as
parents need to explain what we are doing and why in terms that our children can
understand at their age. So if you have growing children, I encourage you to
make sure they are receiving the Lord’s Supper with you and to explain it to
them. (Perhaps our Children’s Church folks can bring the children up on
Communion Sundays in time for them to be served with their parents?)
I recognize there is a second side to this equation. Many of you may only have a
very cursory understanding of the Lord’s Supper yourself. Let me start off with
something basic – what we call the Lord’s Supper is also referred to as
communion (as we commune with Christ and one another) or the Eucharist (a term
used more in Catholic circles). At its most basic level we may explain the
Lord’s Supper with those words of Jesus on the front of the table, “Do this in
remembrance of me.” I believe even small children can understand that we share
this “meal” to remember Jesus and the meal he had with his disciples. As they
get older, we can then add that Jesus used bread and wine to explain to his
disciples how his body would be broken to save us from the brokenness of our
sins and death, but we also remember that he was resurrected so that we have
life in him.
Let me also add some more layers, though, so that we do not simply stay at this
important but basic understanding. First, the Lord’s Supper also reminds us of
the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom, “when people will come from North and South
and East and West” and sit together at God’s great banquet. The Lord’s Supper
reminds us that God’s Kingdom is closer than we think, and is made known to us
clearly in Jesus and the things he did and taught. That leads us to a second
notion, that as we anticipate being together in God’s kingdom, we find
fellowship (a diverse fellowship) around the table even now. As we take the
Lord’s Supper we are united with brothers and sisters in Christ of all different
ages, races, nationalities and, yes, even political persuasions. Third, we also
believe that as we take the Lord’s Supper together, Jesus is really present with
us through the Holy Spirit. It is as if he is sitting on the pew next to us.
Fourth, as we remember Jesus’ self-giving love and act of sacrifice for us, we
are called to a life of self-giving love and service in Jesus’ name. I often
pray at the end of the Lord’s Supper that as we have been fed at the table, we
will go out to be the Body of Christ in the world.
I hope that these reflections are helpful to you, and to you parents who are
explaining to your children this important part of our life together. Perhaps
each time we take the Lord’s Supper in the months ahead, you can focus your
thoughts on a different one of its many layers. May Jesus walk with you, and you
with him, during this Lenten season.
Alex
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