Communion

Some churches provide communion weekly, I wish mine did. Eating the bread and drinking the wine reminds me that Jesus died for me and has cleansed and does cleanse me from all the gross evil and wickedness I think about and do. When I turn my thoughts and heart towards Jesus and receive his cleansing, I feel incredibly close to God. Communion refreshes the soul. I think all believers need this refreshing and my church's actions make me believe they would agree.

My church provides communion not only for members capable of receiving it in the sanctuary, but also for shut-ins. When I first heard this, it sounded splendid. I'd never seen communion served to shut-ins, and I wanted to; I wanted to be a part. This afternoon, that desire became reality.

At 2 O'clock today I accompanied the pastor, his wife, and two elders on a communion-providing outing to two shut-ins: a man and a woman. The man's body is being destroyed by Alzheimer's, the woman's body by cancer. The sight of them wasting away tugged at my heart. I wanted health for them, vibrancy and energy, but their sickness wouldn't allow this. Instead, I saw something greater: What their sickness prohibits (physical vibrancy) the Spirit imparts- inner strength, peace, and joy.

“Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18