I’ve just finished eating lunch, but I’m still hungry. A different kind of hungry.
I didn’t get to commune Sunday, you see. In my fellowship, we celebrate eucharist each week. Sunday morning, my 12-year-old son was feeling queasy right after his Bible class and we went home before worship.
How do folks of other fellowships get by without that communal meal each week?
It’s all a matter of what you’re used to, I suppose. If I were reading this as a Catholic, I might be thinking, “How can he stand to not go to confession? I would feel so guilty; so dirty.” If I were from a church that sings with an organ or an ensemble, I might be thinking, “How can he bear to just sing, and not hear the fullness of the music? It would feel so incomplete.” If I were from a charismatic church, I might be thinking, “How can he pray only with his head bowed in silent assent? I would feel like I wasn’t participating.”
I could have sneaked a wafer and a cup later, I suppose. But it wouldn’t have been the same. It would have been like standing at the cross alone; or at the tomb by myself. Lonely. Empty.
When I drink and eat this special meal, it’s a tiny fellowship meal that recognizes the body of Christ in all of its meanings – including my church family around me.
And it seems that with each passing year, when I miss a chance to recline at that table, the hunger goes a little deeper.
Blog In My Own Eye 
Lots of times I wish we had communion MORE than once a week!Sorry you missed the fellowship this week, brother.
One of the hardest things for me being confined at home for over three months was missing worship services on Sundays and our meals together with Jesus. Sunday, a week ago now, out in Abilene with my mom was my first time to share communion and worship with everyone in such a long time and it was very difficult for me to keep from crying because of the strong feelings I had about being back with the saints finally and sharing that time together to remember who we really are.
Amen! I hope the days of hurrying through the communion are over. Great thoughts.
Keith,I have seen your blog through David U. and Mike, and I really feel a connection with you. Please keep posting, as I am encouraged by your thoughts.
If you don’t mind I will link to you through my blog.
Keith,I don’t understand how people do without communion either–a couple of months ago, I read “Come To The Table” and it changed several ideas I have held about communion–now I am with David–let’s do it more than once a week!I appreciate your fourth paragraph, too–a whole lot of it could be what we get used to!JB
I guess right now I tend to take this analogy a little farther… Being in a new place, with new people, I leave the assembly hungry because I haven’t communed with anyone there. Jeremiah Johnson, I’m not. I don’t think God meant for us to be spiritual hermits.Sunday used to be my favorite day of the week. It’s not the standout day it used to be for me.