Remember the Important

Prayer: Dear Lord, be praised on my lips today. Fill up my heart and mind with Your presence and draw me into Your Spirit. Cause that which distracts me from You to fall away so that You are at the center of my thinking. Create a stronger and more abiding faith and speak so that I can hear You. Thank You for our time together. In the name of  Your Son, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Read: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
http://www.esvbible.org/search/1+Corinthians+11%3A23/

Thoughts: Have you ever noticed that some people can remember the score from some game that was played years ago but they can’t remember their mom’s birthday? They can recite a slight they received from a co-worker 6 months ago, but don’t bother to tell about a time when they were given the gift of someone’s time to help out with a project. Dwelling on the negative or the useless seems to be almost a hobby for some people. But not so for Jesus. He used the word remember only a few times. He told the disciples He would send the Holy Spirit to help them remember all that He had taught them. And then He told them to practice Holy Communion “in remembrance” of Him. Jesus knew what was important.
     Communion is an often overlooked element of our faith. It seems like sometimes it is just another part of the service to get through. We take it for granted and that is too bad because communion is epic in importance. Jesus told us to eat the bread and drink the wine in order to remember all that He did for us. For the Hebrew, the word “remember” brought yesterday into today. What happened then is happening now. Time collapsed in on itself and the two events became one. That is what happens in communion. Jesus death becomes a reality for me in the moment. The forgiveness won on the cross becomes mine right here and right now. I become one with Christ in that holy meal.
     Taking time to remember the work of Jesus requires effort and intentionality on our part. In years gone by, worshipers would come to the pastor before taking   Communion in confession (and not just in the Catholic church) in order to prepare themselves for this holy meal. There was mental preparation for the sacred. Sadly, we have lost that tradition and are poorer for it. But that doesn’t mean the practice needs to be lost. We can still be intentional about preparing our hearts and minds for this most sacred gift. We can spend a few moments in prayer and meditation before standing before the altar to receive the body and blood of Christ. We can give     ourselves over to prayer after the meal has been served to thank God for this incredible gift of faith and forgiveness. We can take time to remember the important.
     Challenge yourself next time Communion is offered and be intentional about  preparation. Seek the Lord’s face with a contrite heart and ask Him to reveal where you have sinned and listen to His voice as He instructs you and encourages you. It doesn’t need to take all day, but even just a few minutes will make your trip to the altar richer and even more meaningful. Remembering what Jesus had done for you will always increase your faith and bless your life.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please teach me how to honor your sacrifice by remembering what You have done for me. Teach me how to better prepare for the gift of Holy Communion. Help me to love you more fully and to center my thoughts around You rather than my own little world. In Your name I pray. Amen.

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