For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ln the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
– 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Routine and tradition are very important to all our lives. Simple things that we do in sequence keep us focused and confident. Every morning the first thing I do is brush my teeth. Then I take my medicine. In the evening the last thing I do is brush my teeth and take my vitamins. Not that big of a deal. But if that routine gets disrupted I start to question if I took my medicine or my vitamins. We all have routines. Unfortunately a lot of those have been interrupted at least for a while. The structure of our lives has been changed. We have to find new routines, new methods of doing even the simplest things that previously we took for granted.
Tonight, at 6:30, we will celebrate communion at a strange time and in a different manner. Maundy Thursday is our day of Holy Week when we celebrate the Last Supper. As protestant Christians we celebrate the last supper as Jesus instructed us to do with a shared loaf and a shared cup. One cup, one loaf, that represent the one body and sacrifice of Jesus. Unlike our monthly communion together, tonight we will not share the same bread and the same cup. We will each have to prepare our own elements. In a new way we will still share this meal together and by the power and mystery of God, we will be in communion.
As the church we are seeking out new ways, developing new traditions, to see us through a time of crisis. This is not new. From the early Christians in Rome who worshiped in secret to Zoom meetings for Sunday School and Christian conferencing. Faith is always seeking new ways to encounter God. Likewise God is always breaking into our routines and traditions to keep us moving forward. So when we gather together tonight, via technology, God will be with us, spiritually and physically in the elements we have. God was not surprised by our current crisis. Neither will God be absent in anything we do to show our faith.
Amen and Amen!
Stay safe. Stay healthy and proclaim the gospel.
Pastor Lee
