A good many sermons are preached about Communion in August. The Lectionary specifies readings from the 6th chapter of John. Is Jesus' claim something symbolic and mystical...or is it physical?
I am the bread of life (v35) …which a man may eat and not die (v50) …for my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. (v55)
And the Disciples said: This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it? (v60)
Lord Christ,
I had a breakthrough Sunday,
about the bread and wine,
about your body and blood.
It wasn’t about transubstantiation,
or other fine points of theology.
It wasn’t about wine vs. grape juice,
or bread vs. wafers.
…but I finally got it:
You are flesh and blood.
You are a real presence.
…and we need to be reminded,
every week, every time we gather,
of that which we can not see.
You are flesh and blood.
You are a real presence.
I cannot see you, Jesus,
or touch you,
but you are present in my life.
I am blessed,
richly blessed,
that you see me,
that you touch me. Amen.
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