A lot of things have changed in the way we do worship in this past 12 months. And Maundy Thursday is no exception. Much in our bible reading tonight would not be allowed under Covid restrictions. First there was the celebration of the very first Holy Communion service together. If we look at artwork depicting that scene then there was no social distancing between Jesus and the 12 disciples. There were no masks. And they were sharing the Common Cup – the Holy Grail as it is often referred to – for the blood of Christ and one loaf of bread passed from one person to another. And then there was Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Totally unhygienic when we are discouraged to even shake hands.
Our present Holy Communion service resembles nothing like that first communion service: Individual cups – masks, gloves, tongs, sanitizer – no sharing of the peace – elbow bumps instead of handshaking. Nevertheless these are not what are central to what Jesus was teaching his disciples and us. Jesus explained to his disciples what was central in all that they do: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Yes, I would love things to be different – to be the way they were. But let us not forget where we were 12 months ago. We were at home, locked out of our church buildings, and without the sacrament for something like 6 months. I thank God every day that we can be back together even if we have to make some small sacrifices – even if we have to one day start wearing masks again during worship.
I think of a story I heard when I listed to a speaker talk about Christians in some persecuted countries where Christianity is forbidden – where Bibles are banned. If they can get their hands on a bible, they will tear out its pages so they can share even just a page with as many people as they can – even one page per household.
That doesn’t disrespect or lessen its sacredness but shows a deep hunger for God’s word. I’m looking forward to the day we can offer the common cup again – and here at Our Saviour’s the breaking of actual bread rather than wafers.
But what is essential in this Sacrament? It is Christ’s true presence – his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins – and that is not compromised by gloves, masks, individual cups. Some argue that the individual cups aren’t what we should be using – but let us be careful that we don’t believe that Christ cannot be present because of human rules and tradition because that is what Luther fought tooth and nail against when he insisted on the true presence of Christ. There were those he fought against that who said Christ couldn’t not be present in the bread and wine because he is at the right hand of God. Therefore the bread and wine can only “represent” his body and blood.
Or think of Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch who wanted to be baptised. Phillip didn’t say – not until we get you to a baptismal font and do it there. Neither did Phillip insist he do a series of Pastor’s Classes before he would consider baptising him. Jesus spelt out clearly to his disciples what he desires: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
If we have love for God and one another, I believe that we can look past the things we would like to have as we gather compared to the things that make our gathering sacred and special – God’s Word and Sacrament even with the restrictions that are presently placed upon us. We’ve even had to accept that not every service will have live music – but again – is that what makes God’s presence in and among us?
I think of Paul and Silas in prison in Acts 16:25 – About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. There was no band or organ for their hymns.
Sometimes what is central to our faith and salvation can be lost because of the layers we put on them. Jesus always brought things back to where the central teaching was: Where 2 or 3 are gathered, there I am in the midst of them. Accepting the Kingdom of God with a childlike faith. St Paul was the same in our 2nd reading today when speaking about Holy Communion: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Just like Baptism where we don’t put any instructions on how or where other than the words Jesus commanded – in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – we don’t put conditions on “this bread” or “this cup” other than Jesus’ words which we call – the Words of Institution – that consecrate the elements for use in the body and blood of Christ. Otherwise we will place a heavy burden on consciences that there is something that we must contribute which causes doubts as to whether Jesus is truly present – and whether our sins are truly forgiven.
Jesus reminds us – it is our love for one another as he has loved us that will proclaim to the world that we are his disciples. And sometimes that love is asked of us as we show that we are prepared to let go of our traditions for the sake of the greater good. I don’t like wearing a mask or gloves or not having the common cup available for Holy Communion – but if these allow us to gather and receive the body and blood of Christ together then I will think of what Paul said – when he was confronted with eating meat sacrificed to idols – which he was very happy to do – but if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
So in all that we do, whether it is here in church or out in the public – let us show that same love for one another as Christ has loved us and by this EVERYONE will know that we are Christ’s disciples – if we have love for one another. And no greater love do we see than Christ sacrificing his own life to give us his body and blood in the sacrament.
