Matthew 26:26-29
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”
The pastor’s view of communion is one of the most sacred views I’ve ever encountered. I get to see your faces, the ones that are carrying large burdens, the ones in awe, those nodding along (or nodding off), the ones who have done this all before, and those who are new during the Great Prayer of Communion. Then we get to the part of serving the elements. If it’s by intinction, I watch you come forward, finding myself grateful to see a college student in line who I didn’t spot while in the pews, I find myself reminded of Gods never ending love as I spot someone who hasn’t been able to be at church whether due to travel or walking through a hard season of grief. God’s love meets us all here. If it’s seated communion, I watch as the trays are passed, as blessings are spoken aloud (or fumbled through so I’ve been told it feels like). I watch as you pass the trays steadying them for both the youngest and the oldest in our midst. I watch as you step into your role as part of the priesthood of all believers (even when you do not know it), for as Presbyterians we believe that you, just as much as I and Andrew, are called to do the loving, teaching, and ministering to this community. It’s from this view I’m reminded that we are humans doing our best to both remember and embody the love Jesus shows us as we actively wait for the Kingdom to come.
Each time we gather around this table, retelling the story of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples a new detail comes into focus helping us find ourselves within our story. Are we anxious and uncertain about what lies ahead like the original disciples were? In this meal, Jesus reminds us that he is present. Are we in need of a reminder that we belong? In this meal, Jesus reminds us there’s a seat already saved. Are we in need of grace, a reminder that Jesus does not require anything of us to partake in this meal? In this meal, Jesus tells us to come as we are. Are we in need of a reminder that we are connected to those we love who have died and to those yet to come? In this meal we’re reminded that we worship in the round with Jesus connecting us with the saints who have died and the saints yet to come.
On Maundy Thursday, as we set the stage for our imaginations to wander to the Last Supper of the disciples, I invite you to listen to these familiar words once again, to partake of bread and cup, and find yourselves again wrapped up into the story of God’s unending reconciling love for the world. I invite you to look around at this body of broken and breaking people, to give thanks for the humans you gather with today, the ones you have gathered with before, and the ones to come. May we find ourselves in this story once again renewed to live in God’s love as we wait to drink the fruit of the vine new in God’s kingdom one day.
-The Rev. Isabella Fagiani