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| photo by Dorthea Lang |
Every
time I serve communion I read Paul's warning, “...whoever
eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner
will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.”
(1
Corinthians 11:27)
This verse and the call to
self-examination
that follows are used as opportunities to recommit ourselves to the
Christian life; to confess our sins to the Lord and be refreshed and
renewed in our faith. On the other hand, the context of the passage
indicates more.
Paul opens this passage by rebuking
the Corinthians for the careless attitude they displayed in regards
to the Lord's Supper. The practice in that day was to gather for a
communal meal but, rather than share, some overindulged while others
went hungry. (1
Corinthians 11:21)
Paul explains that their error was in
failing to take the Body of Christ into account. (1
Corinthians 11:29) In other words, they were ignoring the poor in
their midst. This error interfered with their ability to worship and
disrupted the unity of the Corinthian church.
We are reminded by this passage to
remember the poor among us. Marv Knox, editor of the Baptist
Standard, recently asked, “If Baptists are such a big deal in
Texas, why are we so behind other states in compassion?” (my
paraphrase of his question).
Texas is leading the US in hunger and
lack of access to health care. How can that be? Didn't Jesus say he
came to proclaim good
news to the poor?
As followers of Jesus Christ we must be
mindful of the poor in our midst. When we gather to worship, let us
celebrate a week of being the hands and feet of Jesus.
“Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and
sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40
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