Saturday 28 February 2015

Psalm: Psalm 119:1-16

Background

The theme of preparation and self-examination today isparticularly focused in encouraging Christians to consider how theyapproach and participate in the Lord's Supper.

The church in Corinth was rife with tensions. The way in whichits members behaved at times was questionable, and Paul haspreviously argued that there can be no Eucharist in a communitywhose members do not love one another. In these verses, he drawsthe attention of the Corinthians to the meaning of the Eucharist inwhich Jesus' death, an act of love, is proclaimed. Authenticremembering of this act is an imitation of Christ whereby God'ssaving love is made effectively present in the world until Jesusreturns in glory.

Paul's challenge to the Corinthians is stark: if they are notunited in love then they class themselves amongst those whomurdered Jesus (verse 27). He stresses the importance ofself-examination leading to reconciliation before receiving theEucharist. Are those who eat the bread and wine together clearabout their motives for doing so? Have they truthfully reflected ontheir relationships with others, and sought to act out of love?Self-evaluation and honesty before God is vital, but so is thequality and nature of their relationships with each other.

To Ponder

• How do you prepare to share in the bread and wine of HolyCommunion?

• If you think of the community within which you most regularlyparticipate in sharing the bread and wine, are there any of yourrelationships that may require some healing? If so, what might youdo to begin to bring this about?