Remember
Photo by Ravi Palwe on Unsplash
It can happen to me in the middle of the night, or out walking, or even whilst working on something completely unrelated. What is it, you ask? It’s to remember something important!
It could be a person I need to contact, a task I need to do, or worse, something I have forgotten. When I do remember, I have learnt to make a note immediately so I can follow it up!
Last week, the UK marked Remembrance Sunday, for those who gave their lives in combat over the years. It is a solemn occasion as we reflect on the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice, for our freedom.
Every year, in our church, we join the nation in silence, for a few minutes, to honour the fallen. We pray too, for the bereaved families and for an end to current wars.
Remembering is important. There are many things that Jesus said and did, recorded in the Bible, that are well worth remembering. But there is one thing that he especially asked his followers to remember. It took place at his final meal with them, known as the Last Supper…
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’ ”
Communion or Breaking Bread or Eucharist is at the heart of Christian worship around the world, as a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
It has been celebrated for thousands of years and still is today, no matter what tradition or denomination. It takes place in the grandest Cathedrals, as well as in humble homes.
This simple act of eating bread and drinking wine realigns all believers on Jesus. In doing so we remember the significance of his death and resurrection, in which our wrong doings (sin) are paid for, forgiven and forgotten.
It also reminds us that we are part of a global church that has been around for centuries, of which Jesus is ‘the head’ (or the boss!). We are united and connected even if we do things in different ways.
It may just be some bread and wine, but I find taking communion both profound and humbling. We still do something that Jesus asked his followers to do! By doing so we connect with him, and them, and the global church. I remember, with gratitude, all that Jesus has done.
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader