Fruitful sacraments always have one practiced and visible result: people’s lives are prayerfully changed because God’s purposes for life and time are gradually being appropriated.
We began our time together by sharing a meal. The orange juice, the fruit, the bread, and the muffins were meant to symbolize a sacramental meal. The readings for Unit 1 reminded us that in early Christian life and in Jewish tradition sacramental meals did not always follow a particular format, schedule, or script. Ordained people were not needed to officiate and sharing the sacrament was part of sharing an everyday meal. It was a reminder to us that everyday experience can be experienced as sacraments.
To guide our discussion, we explored the definition of a sacrament, the meaning of sharing food as sacramental, the sacramental meals in the readings for the week, and what meals have held sacramental meaning for us. Members of the group talked about sacred nature of the Lord’s Supper, the symbolism of the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup, and the sense of community experienced in the sharing of the meal. It is a commitment and it is not just a sensory experience. Though the Reformed tradition has lifted some of the mystery from the practice, we still experience something mysterious in the moment. We also discussed how – to those within the tradition and to those outside – that taking communion is, in some ways, an odd practice.
We face new challenges today. Bringing people together is more difficult than ever. This is true even within immediate family groups. Finding a way to turn off – electronics, communications, and the distractions of the modern world – is an ever increasing struggle.
Even in the face of these troubles, group members shared meals that were sacramental for them. Serving a meal at ASPAN, praying with unexpected people or in unexpected places, and sharing meals with people of different faith traditions. Giving of our time and ourselves, showing love through cooking, making a fuss, and having a fuss made over you – these were all elements of sacramental meals we had experienced. Family recipes and traditions also created sacramental experiences for us.
Maura bravely volunteered to give a retelling of the Last Supper. Everyone contributed to tell the full story. We pulled out different elements and discussed them and their importance to our continuing tradition. Practicing lectio divina, we read Luke 24:28-33. The reading conveyed a sense of community, a need to continue the commitment outside the church walls, to stay and pay attention, take time to listen to God, to reach out in times of uncertainty, and to search for companions.
Just Eating at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington 