Do In Remembrance

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19 NRSV

These words imprinted on the front of the altar at Zion sometimes causes me to wonder. I wonder if everyone realize that this is more than a remembrance ritual or a memorial service. I wonder if everyone who eats of his body and drinks of his blood realize that they are actually receiving the body of Christ into themselves.

He comes to abide in us through this Sacrament. As we eat and drink we become one in and with the living Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 15:12-58 Death, Grief, Comfort; The Word of God

1 Corinthians 15:12-58 NIV
In our reading today we have a couple of readings that are often used for funerals. At a church conference a few years ago, I remember hearing a pastor, who was also an author, tell us that we need to remember that the "dead are dead." She was confident that scripture would not bring anyone comfort. I beg to differ with her and am amazed that she professed to be a Christian and a pastor at that. I am not sure what she was suggesting we should do or say then to comfort others in their grief. I see no purpose for funerals or memorials if there is no chance for hope to those who are dying inside while yet in this world.

The Word of God is our only real comfort in times like these. Scripture would remind us that even though we die we shall live. It is a great mystery. We cannot totally understand it; but, those who believe that Jesus died and was risen from the grave are confident that they and all who believe will follow in his footsteps though the gate of death into eternal life. Death does not have the victory over us. Jesus has victory over death for all who would follow him.

He is risen and ascended! So shall we!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 14:12-26

Mark 14:11-26 NIV
Recently, we participated in a rarity at our congregation: a Memorial Service that included the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Not that Memorial Services are rare; but, receiving the Sacrament at one is. It was such a relief for me, to see so many whom I have not seen in a very long time, receive this gift from God. My hope is that they are worshipping God with another congregation. But, I am pretty sure most are not. For some reason, gathering together with the community of Saints, today, is an option.

For Jesus it was not. He traveled (on foot and a bit on the back of a donkey) to participate in the Passover in Jerusalem. As he broke the bread and poured the wine at His last supper, he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. When they were finished with the meal, they sang a hymn and then went out to the Mount of Olives where he would be betrayed by his friend and handed over to be crucified.

Even as He faced His own death for the sake of His friends and followers, He gathered with them to worship and give thanks to God. May God grant us hearts that would desire to gather together as a community of Saints to remember, to celebrate, and to give thanks for our God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 33 - No One Will Say I Am Ill

"No one living in Zion will say, “I am ill”;
and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven."  (Isaiah 33:24 NIV)

Will that not be a wonderful day! When no will say that I am ill.  I am having one of those days when it is hard to focus, again...  Since last week, when I did some hospital visits my thoughts keep turning to this prayer: "Heal them, LORD, please!" One of our Sunday School teachers had a stroke a couple of weeks before Sunday School ended. It was quite severe. He has become bed-ridden. He is a wonderful man - a great teacher! He is constantly in my prayers and I often wonder why God won't heal him. I visited a few others in the hospital this past week, as well.

What is causing my real lack of focus today, though, is a lack of sleep. I spent most of the night at the emergency room with my 14 year-old granddaughter. She had been screaming out in pain. Instead of coming home, we slept in an extra bed at our Adult Foster Care in town when we finally left the emergency room as that would give us at least an hour more sleep before we had to get up. The emergency room Dr. did not figure out what was wrong with her. She was sent home still in pain; although, it was dissipating and she was able to finally sleep. The orders were: no Tylenol as that would exasperate her already elevated liver enzymes and to follow-up with a Dr. of her choice. There's the kicker.... Dr. of her choice. She has been trying to find a female doctor that will see her for over a year. She is rather shy when it comes to things like that. Not much luck at BCMH - lots of administration to go through to see a Dr. if you're not already a patient. We tried last fall to set her up with one, but it got so complicated we finally gave up.  I am waiting on a call now. We shall see if we will be able to get her medical care at BCMH or if we're going to need to drive to Portage or Bell Memorial. BTW - she does have good insurance so that is not a factor.

So there's my focus today. I am waiting for the day when no one living will say, "I am ill." Then we won't need Dr's or nurses, or hospital administrators, or Obama Care...

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Later.... She now has a female Dr. at BCMH.

Isaiah 25 - Death Is Swallowed Up!

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (Isa 25:6-9 NIV)

 

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, the day we remember those loved ones, particularly are military members, who are no longer with us in this world, and I find myself very blessed in that it happens to fall on a day when our reading includes one of the scriptures that I often use for funerals. It is a picture of the great banquet feast. It reminds us that through Jesus Christ, the power of death has been overcome. Death has been swallowed up forever! Although, we die, yet we shall live. There will be no more sorrow or pain. There will be no more reason for tears. (See Rev 7:17, 21:4) And all God's people will say: "“Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (Isa 25:9) Yes, it's worth repeating! Let us rejoce and be glad in His salvation! 

 

Thanks be to God! God's Peace - Pr. J.