February 2015
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com At the outset we must again make the preliminary statement that we do not abolish the Mass, but religiously maintain and defend it. For among us masses are celebrated every Lord’s Day (Sunday) and on the other festivals, in which the Sacrament is offered to those who wish to use it, after they have been examined and absolved. -Philipp Melanchthon, Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV For all of our love of tradition and “the way things have always been”, we Lutherans are actually quite innovative. Some of these innovations have added a great deal to our worship, such as the addition of the Advent wreath in German Lutheran churches in the 19th century. Some of these innovations, however, were devised because of a community’s personal piety, or out of necessity due to the scarcity of ordained ministers among Lutherans in this country early on. One of these innovations was a less frequent celebration of Holy Communion. Many of you remember the days when Holy Communion was celebrated quarterly. People would go by the pastor’s office or to the parsonage on Saturday evening to inform the pastor of their intention to receive the next day. Over time, at Zion, the practice of going to the pastor was dropped and communion was increased to a monthly, then bi-monthly format. But if we go back to the way
things were among Lutheran churches in the 16th century, we find that the Sacrament was offered every single Sunday, as Melanchthon states in the above quote. Lately, some folks have again complained about the frequency of Holy Communion in this congregation. From what I’ve heard, they say that too-frequent reception makes the Sacrament less special. Or they feel that they have not prepared adequately to receive Holy Communion every week. To those people, let me ask a couple questions: Do you limit your meals to twice per month because less frequent meals are more special? If you feel like you are not adequately prepared to receive Holy Communion, why would you begrudge those who feel like they are prepared the opportunity to receive the Body of Christ? Every meal is special because it comes from God’s hand. At a meal, we sit with members of our families. We have opportunities to connect and deepen our relationships that we don’t often have at other times. There’s an intimacy in meals. Even in our “onthe-go” culture, many of us still value the evening meal together or the Sunday brunch. The same goes for Communion. At that meal, we come to the table together as a family to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord, which gives the new person within us spiritual food for our lives. The relationships within us are deepened and strengthened, and we are reminded of our unity in Christ. As Paul writes,
“”Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). As for preparation, I understand the need to be prepared. I understand the need for self-reflection and perhaps, confession and forgiveness before reception. But if you do not feel prepared, why would you stop others from going to the table? Are you embarrassed that people would see you and judge you for not coming forward? That would be their problem, not yours, right? (Besides, you may always come forward for a blessing if you do not wish to receive Holy Communion.) And since there is a need for adequate preparation, I am willing to help with that. I will be in the office on Saturdays before Communion Sundays from 3-5 PM or by appointment for those who desire pastoral conversation before taking Holy Communion, beginning January 31st. This is one area in which we want to go back to “the way things were”. Instead of begrudging more frequent celebration of Communion, why not celebrate it? Why not celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promises to you and me in bread and wine? Jesus told his disciples, “Eat and drink.” The same command is given to us now, not as a burden, but as a blessing. With Christ’s love for you, Pr. David