Preacher, Rev. Karen Moore

Thank You, Jesus!

September 1, 2002

 

Jesus instructed his disciples to eat and to drink in remembrance of him.  He knew that one of his closest friends was with him at the table and would betray him.  The other disciples could not possibly have anticipated in that moment the significance or the impact of this meal until much later.  And yet, there are several accounts of it in the Bible that are remarkably similar.

Whenever I look for modern versions of this event, I think of family reunions, church suppers,  and I remember the last scene in an old movie called “Places in the Heart”.  In that scene, folks in a country church are sitting in pews and the communion tray is being passed around.  As communion is shared, you see faces side by side of young, old, different races, a murderer, the one murdered, a racist, the one beaten, an adulterer, the one betrayed, the faithful, the sinners, folks still alive, and some who died earlier.  The point being that all are gathered at the same table.  All are equal before God.  All are loved unconditionally.  All are offered the same gift of love and forgiveness and hope. 

As we gather today, who or what in your own life needs to be remembered today?  For what do you seek forgiveness?  Who do you need or want to forgive?  For what do you want to thank God?  What is happening in your life that allows you to say, “Thank you, Jesus” in anticipation of healing transformation beyond brokenness and limitations.

Rather than “forgive and forget,” Jesus forgave and taught us to remember…to remember what?

 

To remember Christ’s life and death;

the hope of the resurrection;

the message of God’s love;

the incredible gift of forgiveness;

and the challenge to live a radical life. 

 

·        Christ challenged us to live hope even though life’s journey has many painful twists. 

·        Christ challenged us to love unconditionally even though society is always suspicious of

hidden demands. 

·     Christ challenged us to forgive even the worst offenders in order to free us to receive the gift of

love. 

·     Christ challenged us to put God first, to remember our neighbors, and to take good care of

ourselves. 

 

The gift of God’s love is incomplete without all three pieces:  God, neighbors, self. We must love all three.  Today, you are invited to come to the table, … to remember. 

In your bulletin are silent prayers of Consecration and Thanksgiving you may use to prepare for and to receive communion.  Come now and share in the Lord’s supper and remember that God is the source of love and hope and life.    Amen.

 

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