Mark 14:22-24 - And as they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is My body." And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."

A few Sundays ago, it was my turn to help with the distribution at the Lord's Supper. In our little church the communicants stand in a circle around the altar. We also use a loaf of bread, and we literally break off the bread as we give it to those who commune. So that is what I was doing, breaking bread off a loaf and giving it to the communicants with the words, "The body of Christ for you."

There they stood—boys and girls, men and women, the young and the old. The boys and girls looked so little standing there among the grown-ups. They were solemn as they accepted the bread. I remember thinking—does he know about the miracle happening here? Does she realize what this sacred moment is all about? And the man with the hands of a mechanic—is this more than a symbolic ritual to him? And then there was the little, stooped lady whose hands trembled a bit when she took the bread. How many times had this Sacrament comforted her in her life?

I'm glad that the benefits of the Sacrament come to people without my judgment of their worthiness or, for that matter, their judgment of mine. If that were the case, it's likely that none of us would step up to take Communion and partake of this divine blessing given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isn't it great? Shouldn't we celebrate so great an event—when our Lord accepts us as we are and gives us His forgiveness and life and salvation? No wonder we say we "celebrate" the Lord's Supper! It is indeed something to celebrate—and savor—as we go on about our week mindful of all that God has done for us.

But if our Lord accepts us as we are, it seems to me that we can do no less than accept each other as we are, too. That means blemishes and all, worthy or not—wives accepting their husbands, parents accepting children, the elderly accepting the young, the wealthy accepting the poor. For all of us stand before the Lord—unworthy and unacceptable, except for the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God the Father because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us to Your table that we may commune with You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

From The Lutheran Layman, May 1979 issue, "The Body of Christ for You," by Jon Suel

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever helped distribute the bread and wine for Communion?

2. What are the major benefits to a person taking Communion?

3. Is going to Communion something we should do regularly? If so, why?

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 24-26    John 10:22-42

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