"Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, His wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven." Psalm 107:23-30

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Chalice of Christ

Today was a really awful day in church for me.

I didn't sleep well last night for the millionth night in a row. Pregnancy induced insomnia and having to pee a million times a night while hoping to catch a glimpse of the deer who keep hanging out on the other side of our bedroom window have a way of keeping a pregnant woman up at night.

The children must not have slept well either.

Then I dumped my son's birthday cake upside down while getting out of the giant van lugging the baby and toddler that the 7 yr old wanted to share with his Sunday school class.

Then the baby dumped red punch that someone handed him down my new white sweater.

Then I went up for communion.

And afterwards I heard "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to Your Word..."

Ahh, Thy sweet Word, Lord Jesus, which makes all things new, heals all ills, creates faith, restores my soul.

According to your Word it is done.

Our new church does not use a chalice. I'm not sure why. Honestly I'm not sure they are either. But since it's been this way for so long I suppose no one sees why it should be any different. And I know this does not change the fact that when I drink I receive Christ's blood for my forgiveness. And what church could not use help or restoration in a myriad of places?

But it makes me sad. I have never been deprived the chalice before. I could site all the usual reasons I think a chalice is so wonderful: Christ instituted it this way, the visual symbol of all being one in the body of Christ, and there's this beautiful painting that shows the blood of Christ flowing out of His side and into the chalice from the cross that I used to always love picturing in my mind while at the rail.

But there's another reason it breaks my heart each Sunday that I pass by and am handed the little plastic cup of loneliness. We know that when we receive Christ's Body and Blood we are not only joining in the meal with all those present physically but also with all the host of heaven in their heavenly banquet feast. My Dad just happens to be one of those there present. And the one cup, being passed through the body of Christ and given by Christ Himself...well, it always brought me so much joy to be joined with him if even for the moment. As my Pastor stands in the stead of Christ I always pictured Christ's very hands going from my Dad to me in the offering of His Blood in the cup.

Change brought on by sinful humans does not affect this, Christ is above the strange practices of humans...but for this sinful human, it sure doesn't help me on a day of weakness and loneliness when I really needed that visual aid given and instituted by Christ.

I think Christ knew what He was doing and while humans may do millions of things each and every day with no import or reasoning we know that Christ was not so. EVERYthing He did was of great import and with great reason...even if we cannot understand it.

May all Pastors of Christ seek greater reverence as they fight the fight against the laziness and meaninglessness of the ways of the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh.


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5 comments:

  1. Corner121December 30, 2012 at 3:47 PM

    I miss the common cup as well, although our church does something rather unique that is almost as good. We have a pouring chalice. So you go up, kneel at the rail, and after receiving the body you pick up a small glass individual cup and then each cup is filled. We also then hold hands for the blessing. I have not heard how this tradition started but it's pretty cool.

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  2. MelroseDecember 30, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    Megan, that does at least sound better but I would still ask, why? I'm guessing the main reason for any church is germs....which to me is like not going to the dr when you're sick because someone else might have germs. The Healer do all has offered His very self and we worry and fret over colds. Sigh.

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  3. MelroseDecember 30, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    That should say "of" all, not do :)

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  4. jeniDecember 30, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    It's so funny to me when folks are concerned about germs in the chalice! It's alcohol. In a metal chalice. I chair the Altar Guild at our church, and one thing I notice is how often the individual cups are handled: First by the altar guilder placing them in the tray to be ready for the next service, then they're touched again by someone else when they are jiggled to make sure they don't stick before wine is poured into them, then again by communion assistants as they transfer a few glasses at a time from one tray to another at the altar...talk about germs! Anyway, just had to share that. Chalice or bust!

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  5. MelroseDecember 31, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    Jeni, what a great point! Sigh, maybe one day I'll receive from a chalice again. I think if I have a girl her middle name will be Chalice. ;) I can see it now on a Baptismal banner in front of the whole church. hehe

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