Sacraments - Shadows of Substance
OPENING PRAYER:
Spirit, advocate for us and show us the way to faithfully acknowledge what we are called to remember.
“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” 1 Corinthians 11:23b-25 (NIV)
REFLECT:
As a non-denominational church, we get a wide mix of experiences and beliefs, especially from various Protestant denominations. One of the main areas that our varied views can present themselves is in the practice of the sacraments (rituals).
There are two main sacraments that are observed outside of the Catholic Church – baptism and communion.
Some churches observe communion every week, some do it on a rotation, some only do it when the Spirit prompts them to. Some do it with crackers and grape juice, some do it with bread and wine.
Some churches baptize by immersion in a pool, some in a lake, and some with drops of water.
APPLY:
As humans, we tend to let our own opinions get in the way of what is important. What is important to remember as we practice the sacraments is this: however we observe them, they are shadows of the real substance of our faith.
Jesus’ death is the death we acknowledge during baptism. The washing away of our sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit descending on us is what we reflect in baptism. The elements we consume during communion are a representation of the body that was broken and the blood that was spilled as Jesus humbly offered himself instead of us.
Whether you are baptized during a church service or in a river with no one else around or focus on your baptism by the Spirit…whether you partake in communion with your congregation or reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice quietly in your own home…the important thing is to not let these things happen without reflection and meaning.
We are called to do more than to go through the motions of ritual. We are called to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and the gifts of the Spirit. Let us be intentional to do these things with purpose and perspective.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, Son, and Spirit – guide as we reflect on your presence and purpose in our lives. Let us live it well and do good in this world in your name. Amen