Today's Scripture Readings
Isaiah 50: 4-9a (NRSV)
Psalm 70 (BCP, p. 682)
Hebrews 12: 1-3 (NRSV)
John 13: 21-32 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
It is often said that the most tragic of conversations happens at a dinner table. How many movies might we have seen where a relationship break up happens during a dinner date? The most intense conversations between parents and children tends to happen at a dinner table. The worst experience of discovering that someone you have trusted and loved for so long has betrayed you, is when they are sitting right at the table where you are eating. It makes you sick to your stomach.
Jesus today identifies with all of us who have ever been rejected by a close friend or comrade. Jesus knows that Judas is there and is prepared to betray him. Yet, Jesus still loved him. Jesus does not try to persuade Judas to do differently, he tells him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." Is it any wonder that the table where this exchange took place has become the most famous of tables in all Christendom? At the first Eucharist there was already divisions and selfishness and sin. Yet, Jesus does not divide his table. Jesus gives his Body and Blood out of love for any and all who dine at the table.
The Eucharist remains one of the greatest mysteries that Christians share. Yet, it also remains a moment when Christians are divided. We might look at the scene in today's Gospel of Judas betraying Jesus and say: "We don't do those things today." But, is that really honest?
The Eucharist already has enough scandal, so that LGBT people and others should not be denied participation in receiving the Holy Communion. Have you ever thought about the possibility that those who spend their time thinking that there is someone who should not be taking Communion with us, that you might be acting as Judas did? Are you selling out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, to get someone you don't like out of the Church?
Yet, what we see in the Gospel that is part of that cloud of witnesses mentioned in the reading from Hebrews, is that no matter how much of a sinner we are, Jesus welcomes us to participate in the reception of his Body and Blood. He died on the Cross and gave of himself for everyone. That includes all of us.
If only we could learn to model the tables of our homes and communities so that we welcome anyone and everyone to sup with us, the world would be a better place for all.
One such model is the table in the refectory at a Benedictine monastery. All of the brothers, with the Abbot and Prior, Cellular etc, come together at the proper hour, to stand in prayer and take the meal together. They live out the meaning of the Eucharist, by supping even with those they are angry with. Each individual takes a turn, serving the other members and guests of the Community for a weeks time. Another reads while the community is at supper, so that when they are eating, they are still hearing the Word of God. Everyone has their role to play in practicing hospitality and reconciliation.
How are we behaving at the Eucharistic Table these days?
How are we receiving and/or rejecting others to the Table of the Lord?
Do we see ourselves as welcome to receive the Holy Communion?
As we move from Wednesday in Holy Week to Maundy Thursday tomorrow, we might do well to think very carefully about what Holy Communion and celebrating it with others means to us. It just might be the greatest conversion experience of Lent, Holy Week and Easter yet.
Prayers
Isaiah 50: 4-9a (NRSV)
- The Lord GOD has given me
- the tongue of a teacher,
- that I may know how to sustain
- the weary with a word.
- Morning by morning he wakens--
- wakens my ear
- to listen as those who are taught.
- The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
- and I was not rebellious,
- I did not turn backward.
- I gave my back to those who struck me,
- and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
- I did not hide my face
- from insult and spitting.
- The Lord GOD helps me;
- therefore I have not been disgraced;
- therefore I have set my face like flint,
- and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
- he who vindicates me is near.
- Who will contend with me?
- Let us stand up together.
- Who are my adversaries?
- Let them confront me.
- It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
Psalm 70 (BCP, p. 682)
Hebrews 12: 1-3 (NRSV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
John 13: 21-32 (NRSV)
At supper with his friends, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples-- the one whom Jesus loved-- was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once."
Blog Reflection
It is often said that the most tragic of conversations happens at a dinner table. How many movies might we have seen where a relationship break up happens during a dinner date? The most intense conversations between parents and children tends to happen at a dinner table. The worst experience of discovering that someone you have trusted and loved for so long has betrayed you, is when they are sitting right at the table where you are eating. It makes you sick to your stomach.
Jesus today identifies with all of us who have ever been rejected by a close friend or comrade. Jesus knows that Judas is there and is prepared to betray him. Yet, Jesus still loved him. Jesus does not try to persuade Judas to do differently, he tells him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." Is it any wonder that the table where this exchange took place has become the most famous of tables in all Christendom? At the first Eucharist there was already divisions and selfishness and sin. Yet, Jesus does not divide his table. Jesus gives his Body and Blood out of love for any and all who dine at the table.
The Eucharist remains one of the greatest mysteries that Christians share. Yet, it also remains a moment when Christians are divided. We might look at the scene in today's Gospel of Judas betraying Jesus and say: "We don't do those things today." But, is that really honest?
The Eucharist already has enough scandal, so that LGBT people and others should not be denied participation in receiving the Holy Communion. Have you ever thought about the possibility that those who spend their time thinking that there is someone who should not be taking Communion with us, that you might be acting as Judas did? Are you selling out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, to get someone you don't like out of the Church?
Yet, what we see in the Gospel that is part of that cloud of witnesses mentioned in the reading from Hebrews, is that no matter how much of a sinner we are, Jesus welcomes us to participate in the reception of his Body and Blood. He died on the Cross and gave of himself for everyone. That includes all of us.
If only we could learn to model the tables of our homes and communities so that we welcome anyone and everyone to sup with us, the world would be a better place for all.
One such model is the table in the refectory at a Benedictine monastery. All of the brothers, with the Abbot and Prior, Cellular etc, come together at the proper hour, to stand in prayer and take the meal together. They live out the meaning of the Eucharist, by supping even with those they are angry with. Each individual takes a turn, serving the other members and guests of the Community for a weeks time. Another reads while the community is at supper, so that when they are eating, they are still hearing the Word of God. Everyone has their role to play in practicing hospitality and reconciliation.
How are we behaving at the Eucharistic Table these days?
How are we receiving and/or rejecting others to the Table of the Lord?
Do we see ourselves as welcome to receive the Holy Communion?
As we move from Wednesday in Holy Week to Maundy Thursday tomorrow, we might do well to think very carefully about what Holy Communion and celebrating it with others means to us. It just might be the greatest conversion experience of Lent, Holy Week and Easter yet.
Prayers
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be
whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept
joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the
glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Wednesday in Holy Week, Book of Common Prayer, p. 220).
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the
earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those
who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people
everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the
nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh;
and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, p. 100).
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