"Holy Communion and H1N1"
A sermon preached by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp at Edgemont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) based on I Corinthians 11:17-29.
FOOTNOTE: The week after I preached this sermon I came down with the flu... how ironic!!!
I heard a rather interesting article a couple of weeks ago on NPR. The article was entitled, Houses of Worship Open Its Doors to the Swine Flu. The article said: “Through the eyes of the H1N1 virus [or the Swine Flu], a church or house of worship is a playground. For an example, within the Catholic Church the virus can easily be passed through the font of holy water at the entrance of the church where parishioner’s upon entering the church, dip their fingers into the water and make the sign of the cross. And then there is what is known in some liturgical churches as The Passing of Peace in which parishioners shake hands and hug one another. And, of course, who could forget about Holy Communion. Despite the method or tradition of distribution, each poses a threat of spreading germs or even the H1N1 virus. Indeed, the church is a playground for such a virus and many church officials know this. In fact, it is causing some churches to raise questions of concern, such as: “How should we deal with the distribution of Holy Communion?” and “Should we stop shaking hands and hugging and greeting each other?” and “Should we take out the holy water fonts as soon as the flu season begins?” Some dioceses and churches are encouraging their priests and clergy, along with their parishioners, to use a lot of hand sanitizer. And some religious leaders and officials have even considered closing its doors when the flu season starts to prevent an epidemic from occurring.
Rabbi Moshe Waldoks at Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts has even encouraged his congregation of about 900 to greet each other by simply bowing to each other as a Buddhist might or to use the Obama fist bump to greet each other.” And, of course, there is the Jewish tradition of passing the Torah around the congregation. And, as it is passed, some people kiss it, while others touch their prayer shawls to it. Rabbi Waldoks is suggesting that his congregation wave at the Torah as it passes instead of kissing it. He said, “I am sure the Torah will understand!”
But this concern isn’t just from people of the Christian and Jewish faiths. This has become a real concern for Muslims, as well, especially at Friday prayer services, where the faithful stand shoulder to shoulder. They put their faces on prayer rugs that others have used prior to them. In fact, leaders of many mosque are asking that the faithful bring their own prayer rugs and to distant themselves a little more than usual at prayer time.
In fact, I got a firsthand experience of what a serious concern this is for some churches, even within our own denomination. While on vacation back in July, Miriam, Jason and I visited a Disciples’ congregation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The congregation was very welcoming, the service was nice. However, when it came time for to celebrate Holy Communion, as typical with most Disciples congregations, the pastor made his way to the Table during the singing of the Communion Hymn. He offered a wonderful meditation, followed by a beautiful Eucharistic Prayer and then proceeded with the Words of Institution, but then came something that I wasn’t quite prepared for. After the Words of Institution were recited, he reached under the Table and I began to hear the sound of plastic being ruffled and he brought his hand up with, what had to be, the biggest and most gaudiest plastic glove I’ve ever seen in my life. He then invited us to come forward to receive the bread which would be placed in our hands by him and then we were invited to receive the wine by taking a small individual plastic cup from a tray held by an elder.
Now, I must say, the mood that was captured through the pastor’s beautiful meditation and prayer was ruined by his indiscreet theatrical performance of putting on the rather large clear-plastic glove in front of us. Personally, I think he could have used a wipe or some hand sanitizer to sterilize his hands prior to distributing communion. I mean, not only would it have been just as effective, but it would have also been a little less noticeable and distracting. But, these same people who were overly cautious with their method of distributing communion, had no concern when it came to greeting each another with handshakes, and hugs and even a few kisses before and after the service. Now, I am not trying to be cynical, because I think it is important to take proper precautions in not spreading germs and to practice good hygiene – such as properly washing our hands, but we must be realistic and not overreact.
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, teaches that when two believers shake hands in greeting, their sins fall away and dissolve. Paul teaches that we are to greet one another with a holy kiss. I mean, can you imagine for just a moment, coming to church and no one shaking your hand, no one hugging or embracing or acknowledging you. You would be like, “What’s going on here? What kind of place is this? Where are the blessings?” And, as the pastor, I would have the privilege of making the announcement, “Today, the blessing is in avoiding one another.” God forbid the threat of the H1N1 gets to that point! I mean, after all, so much of church life is the fellowship that takes place. So much of God’s Table is the fellowship that occurs when we gather together and share the bread and the wine – the gifts of God for the people of God!
And certainly this is what Paul was stressing in our Scripture Lesson this morning, however, their problem was not the H1N1 virus, but a social virus that had threatened them – that has caused division within the church and it stemmed at the Table – the very Table that unites us as the body of Christ – the very Table that transcends time and space and unites us with our brothers and sisters in the faith past, present and future. It was at the Table that this social virus was spreading and destroying the unity that occurs at God’s Table.
Not only was Holy Communion the central aspect of worship within the early Church, but it continues to be to this day, especially within the Disciples church. As Disciples, Holy Communion is the central aspect of our worship service – we observe weekly.
Within the early Church this meal had became a token of their love and unity for Christ and one another. They gathered around the table for fellowship. Keep in mind, in the early church, Holy Communion was commonly preceded by a fellowship meal, what later became known as an agape or love feast. But eventually, so many problems resulted from these feasts that in the fourth century, at the Council of Carthage, they were forbidden and discontinued. And apparently, we see the start of such problems here within the church in Corinth. The meal, which was designed to bring them together as believers and unify them, was doing just the opposite. It was causing division. They were no longer eating together. And not only that, but for some, so much emphasis was set on the feast, on the food itself that they lost focus of the greatest meal – Holy Communion. And, you know, I sometimes wonder if this isn’t true of many Christians today! They come to church to eat and greet. Their focus is not on worship or on Christ. In fact, I had someone call me this past week to ask if we were having a dinner after church this Sunday. Now, traditionally, the first Sunday in October is “Homecoming” or “Heritage Sunday” here at Edgemont. And following the service we typically have a meal of some sort. However, this year being that the District II Assembly falls on this Sunday, and we are unable to have such a meal, especially since our choir was asked to sing at the Assembly. But I couldn’t help but laugh to myself as this person said that if we were not going to have a meal after church, she wasn’t coming! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!
Keep in mind, the early church was an authentic melting pot of humanity. There were Jews and Greeks, slaves and free, male and female, the highly educated and the unlearned, the rich and the poor. It was probably the only place where such a diverse group of people could gather and be considered equals. What a beautiful opportunity it must have been for people who were ordinarily segregated from each other because of cultural or economic differences to be able to come together as brothers and sisters in one family.
And the sharing of food was a token of that fellowship. Without a doubt there would be some at the agape feast who looked forward all week to the variety of food that was offered because their limited resources would prohibit them from eating such food at home. And certainly there were those for whom a lavished meal was a daily occurrence. What a delightful experience that both kinds of people could come together and receive what each needed most: food for the hungry, and an experience of sharing for the affluent.
But, as we see in our Scripture Lesson this morning, a social virus had contaminated this beautiful custom and tradition – this wonderful opportunity afforded them. They had allowed their cultural and economic advantages and disadvantages to separate them and divide them. Food was not properly shared – it has become a distraction for some and a division for others! And when, in the midst of this feast, Holy Communion was celebrated, the compassionate Christ was dishonored instead of honored, he was ignored instead of celebrated, he was overlooked instead of embraced.
And, it was in this context, that Paul would warn them about partaking Holy Communion in an unworthy way. Sadly, this verse has been so misinterpreted and misunderstood by many. It is often taken out of context. But, when we read it in the context of which it occurs, we realize what Paul is saying. I mean, did Paul mean that those who are less than perfect are not invited to the Table? Did he mean that if we can think in any way of how we do not quite measure up to the standards of God then we should not partake of this holy meal? The answer of course is “NO!” If it were yes, then none of us would be permitted at this Table. If this Table was not a Table for the spiritually hungry and needy, then there would be no need for such a Table. Paul was not discussing the character of the believer, but rather of the conduct of the believer. You see, Holy Communion is a continuing reminder that none of us are worthy of such love, but God is a God of love and forgiveness. God is a God of inclusion and welcome. We, on the other hand, not God, but we build walls and create division and offer stipulations and list restrictions. Not God! Not in God’s kingdom and certainly not at God’s Table – all are welcome, all are invited – even the dogs find food at God’s Table, as Jesus reminds us! God invites us to come as we are and receive that which we need – God’s presence, God’s love, God’s grace! Why? So that we might be fed and nourished in our understanding of who God is, in our relationship with the Holy One, and be able to communicate that with the world.
The virus we must be cautious of when it comes to God’s Table, is not the H1N1 virus, but the virus of division, and separation and being insensitive to the presence of Christ. And so, as we gather on this World Communion Sunday, we become aware that this Table is open to all! All are invited to come by the very Host of this Table – God and receive from God the life-giving bread and the saving cup. Today, we are reminded that we do not sit at our individual tables, in our individual churches, but at one large table, with our brothers and sisters around the world and that it is here that Christ meets us and fills us and united us with God and with one another.
I want to close with one of my favorite stories, which, is found in a passage from the book Eminent Victorians. It reads: “The Sunday before General Gordon started for the Sudan, he drove around London to a number of churches to receive Holy Communion as many times as possible, ‘In order,’ he said, ‘to start out brim full of God.” Each week, we have an opportunity to gather at God’s Table, to start the week off right, “brim full of God.” Because as we all know, when something is “brim full,” it is bound to spill out. May this be true of our lives!
Rabbi Moshe Waldoks at Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts has even encouraged his congregation of about 900 to greet each other by simply bowing to each other as a Buddhist might or to use the Obama fist bump to greet each other.” And, of course, there is the Jewish tradition of passing the Torah around the congregation. And, as it is passed, some people kiss it, while others touch their prayer shawls to it. Rabbi Waldoks is suggesting that his congregation wave at the Torah as it passes instead of kissing it. He said, “I am sure the Torah will understand!”
But this concern isn’t just from people of the Christian and Jewish faiths. This has become a real concern for Muslims, as well, especially at Friday prayer services, where the faithful stand shoulder to shoulder. They put their faces on prayer rugs that others have used prior to them. In fact, leaders of many mosque are asking that the faithful bring their own prayer rugs and to distant themselves a little more than usual at prayer time.
In fact, I got a firsthand experience of what a serious concern this is for some churches, even within our own denomination. While on vacation back in July, Miriam, Jason and I visited a Disciples’ congregation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The congregation was very welcoming, the service was nice. However, when it came time for to celebrate Holy Communion, as typical with most Disciples congregations, the pastor made his way to the Table during the singing of the Communion Hymn. He offered a wonderful meditation, followed by a beautiful Eucharistic Prayer and then proceeded with the Words of Institution, but then came something that I wasn’t quite prepared for. After the Words of Institution were recited, he reached under the Table and I began to hear the sound of plastic being ruffled and he brought his hand up with, what had to be, the biggest and most gaudiest plastic glove I’ve ever seen in my life. He then invited us to come forward to receive the bread which would be placed in our hands by him and then we were invited to receive the wine by taking a small individual plastic cup from a tray held by an elder.
Now, I must say, the mood that was captured through the pastor’s beautiful meditation and prayer was ruined by his indiscreet theatrical performance of putting on the rather large clear-plastic glove in front of us. Personally, I think he could have used a wipe or some hand sanitizer to sterilize his hands prior to distributing communion. I mean, not only would it have been just as effective, but it would have also been a little less noticeable and distracting. But, these same people who were overly cautious with their method of distributing communion, had no concern when it came to greeting each another with handshakes, and hugs and even a few kisses before and after the service. Now, I am not trying to be cynical, because I think it is important to take proper precautions in not spreading germs and to practice good hygiene – such as properly washing our hands, but we must be realistic and not overreact.
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, teaches that when two believers shake hands in greeting, their sins fall away and dissolve. Paul teaches that we are to greet one another with a holy kiss. I mean, can you imagine for just a moment, coming to church and no one shaking your hand, no one hugging or embracing or acknowledging you. You would be like, “What’s going on here? What kind of place is this? Where are the blessings?” And, as the pastor, I would have the privilege of making the announcement, “Today, the blessing is in avoiding one another.” God forbid the threat of the H1N1 gets to that point! I mean, after all, so much of church life is the fellowship that takes place. So much of God’s Table is the fellowship that occurs when we gather together and share the bread and the wine – the gifts of God for the people of God!
And certainly this is what Paul was stressing in our Scripture Lesson this morning, however, their problem was not the H1N1 virus, but a social virus that had threatened them – that has caused division within the church and it stemmed at the Table – the very Table that unites us as the body of Christ – the very Table that transcends time and space and unites us with our brothers and sisters in the faith past, present and future. It was at the Table that this social virus was spreading and destroying the unity that occurs at God’s Table.
Not only was Holy Communion the central aspect of worship within the early Church, but it continues to be to this day, especially within the Disciples church. As Disciples, Holy Communion is the central aspect of our worship service – we observe weekly.
Within the early Church this meal had became a token of their love and unity for Christ and one another. They gathered around the table for fellowship. Keep in mind, in the early church, Holy Communion was commonly preceded by a fellowship meal, what later became known as an agape or love feast. But eventually, so many problems resulted from these feasts that in the fourth century, at the Council of Carthage, they were forbidden and discontinued. And apparently, we see the start of such problems here within the church in Corinth. The meal, which was designed to bring them together as believers and unify them, was doing just the opposite. It was causing division. They were no longer eating together. And not only that, but for some, so much emphasis was set on the feast, on the food itself that they lost focus of the greatest meal – Holy Communion. And, you know, I sometimes wonder if this isn’t true of many Christians today! They come to church to eat and greet. Their focus is not on worship or on Christ. In fact, I had someone call me this past week to ask if we were having a dinner after church this Sunday. Now, traditionally, the first Sunday in October is “Homecoming” or “Heritage Sunday” here at Edgemont. And following the service we typically have a meal of some sort. However, this year being that the District II Assembly falls on this Sunday, and we are unable to have such a meal, especially since our choir was asked to sing at the Assembly. But I couldn’t help but laugh to myself as this person said that if we were not going to have a meal after church, she wasn’t coming! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!
Keep in mind, the early church was an authentic melting pot of humanity. There were Jews and Greeks, slaves and free, male and female, the highly educated and the unlearned, the rich and the poor. It was probably the only place where such a diverse group of people could gather and be considered equals. What a beautiful opportunity it must have been for people who were ordinarily segregated from each other because of cultural or economic differences to be able to come together as brothers and sisters in one family.
And the sharing of food was a token of that fellowship. Without a doubt there would be some at the agape feast who looked forward all week to the variety of food that was offered because their limited resources would prohibit them from eating such food at home. And certainly there were those for whom a lavished meal was a daily occurrence. What a delightful experience that both kinds of people could come together and receive what each needed most: food for the hungry, and an experience of sharing for the affluent.
But, as we see in our Scripture Lesson this morning, a social virus had contaminated this beautiful custom and tradition – this wonderful opportunity afforded them. They had allowed their cultural and economic advantages and disadvantages to separate them and divide them. Food was not properly shared – it has become a distraction for some and a division for others! And when, in the midst of this feast, Holy Communion was celebrated, the compassionate Christ was dishonored instead of honored, he was ignored instead of celebrated, he was overlooked instead of embraced.
And, it was in this context, that Paul would warn them about partaking Holy Communion in an unworthy way. Sadly, this verse has been so misinterpreted and misunderstood by many. It is often taken out of context. But, when we read it in the context of which it occurs, we realize what Paul is saying. I mean, did Paul mean that those who are less than perfect are not invited to the Table? Did he mean that if we can think in any way of how we do not quite measure up to the standards of God then we should not partake of this holy meal? The answer of course is “NO!” If it were yes, then none of us would be permitted at this Table. If this Table was not a Table for the spiritually hungry and needy, then there would be no need for such a Table. Paul was not discussing the character of the believer, but rather of the conduct of the believer. You see, Holy Communion is a continuing reminder that none of us are worthy of such love, but God is a God of love and forgiveness. God is a God of inclusion and welcome. We, on the other hand, not God, but we build walls and create division and offer stipulations and list restrictions. Not God! Not in God’s kingdom and certainly not at God’s Table – all are welcome, all are invited – even the dogs find food at God’s Table, as Jesus reminds us! God invites us to come as we are and receive that which we need – God’s presence, God’s love, God’s grace! Why? So that we might be fed and nourished in our understanding of who God is, in our relationship with the Holy One, and be able to communicate that with the world.
The virus we must be cautious of when it comes to God’s Table, is not the H1N1 virus, but the virus of division, and separation and being insensitive to the presence of Christ. And so, as we gather on this World Communion Sunday, we become aware that this Table is open to all! All are invited to come by the very Host of this Table – God and receive from God the life-giving bread and the saving cup. Today, we are reminded that we do not sit at our individual tables, in our individual churches, but at one large table, with our brothers and sisters around the world and that it is here that Christ meets us and fills us and united us with God and with one another.
I want to close with one of my favorite stories, which, is found in a passage from the book Eminent Victorians. It reads: “The Sunday before General Gordon started for the Sudan, he drove around London to a number of churches to receive Holy Communion as many times as possible, ‘In order,’ he said, ‘to start out brim full of God.” Each week, we have an opportunity to gather at God’s Table, to start the week off right, “brim full of God.” Because as we all know, when something is “brim full,” it is bound to spill out. May this be true of our lives!
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 11:49 AM
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