Ever since the night when Jesus instituted what we now call Holy Communion, the traditional Jewish practice of taking bread, blessing, thanking God, breaking, and sharing it, took on new meaning. Ever since, when the followers of Christ gather in Jesus’ name, the breaking of bread and sharing of the cup has a new meaning, when we do it, we remember his life, death, and resurrection and is also the opportunity for an encounter with the living Christ. We experience afresh the presence of our Lord and receive sustenance for our lives every time we partake the bread and the juice.
The key word for the Sacrament of Communion in which we will participate today, is unity. Paul reminds us that in 1 Corinthians 10:17, “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” Our liturgy also reminds us that, “By Your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.”
Today is World Communion Sunday and Christians around the world practice the breaking of the bread with one another and remember both the night of Jesus’ betrayal and Jesus’ sacrifice, yes, but we practice this sacrament every first Sunday of the month. What is it so especial today? This particular Sunday Communion has a flavor of Pentecost as well, when people from different parts of the Roman Empire came together in mutual understanding and inspiration, by the power of the Holy Spirit. World Communion Sunday is a time for celebrating that around the earth in different languages, with different traditions and customs, and in various forms of liturgy and languages, the Lord’s Supper is celebrated throughout Christianity. World Communion Sunday serves two purposes: One, it is a joyous and meaningful moment to remember what Jesus asked us to do. He said, “do this in remembrance of me.” And second is a reminder that we are one body -brothers and sisters in Christ- even when we have different backgrounds and different ways of expressing our faith.
Today Christians around the world will remember what Jesus did. Jesus asked his disciples to remember because he knew memories are important. They are important because in many ways, memories define our lives. When we remember, memories can encourage us or stop us. They can inspire us to achieve new goals or incapacitate us from overcoming obstacles. Memories have the power to change us as people and shape us as human beings. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Remembrance comes from the Greek word anamnesis which means making present an object or person from the past. Therefore, during communion when we remember Jesus, we make his presence real and with his presence, also his message. Message of reconciliation and equality, message of love and kindness, message of peace. Now that we celebrate World Communion Sunday, we are proclaiming that Jesus is present and alive in every one of us, we are proclaiming that his message is active that when we are seated at his table, we are the same: children of the Most High, regardless of our race, our language, gender, or sexual orientation.
World Communion Sunday is a celebration that we are one body -brothers and sisters in Christ- even when we have different backgrounds and different ways of expressing our faith. World Communion Sunday is a celebration of God’s handiwork, of God’s diversity. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Yes, if we see up to the heavens and the skies, we will see the stars and constellations proclaiming God’s handiwork, but here on hearth, God’s people of every race and hue, language and culture, location, and tradition, are the ultimate proclamation of God’s handiwork.
We are the real glory of God, we, the incredible variety of persons God has created; person with different shapes, and sizes, colors, talents, and attributes that God our Creator has given to the persons he created. Today we celebrate the skills and abilities, the talents, and gifts, that have enriched the Church of Christ and our world far beyond our comprehension. And we celebrate the commitment to worship and praise God with a thankful heart even when we use different instruments and rhythms.
Sisters and brothers, our world, our country, our denomination need once again to remember, need to make Jesus and his message present and alive at his table. Let us make memory of what the risen and active Jesus said… John 17:20-21 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me, and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
Matthew 5:43-48 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Let us get ready to come to Jesus’ table…