Devotional Messages

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE

Galatians 3:28 – There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (NRSV)

We sometimes refer to World Communion Sunday as one of the “high holy days” for Disciples, borrowing a phrase from our Jewish siblings.  Many other denominations also celebrate the occasion.  But the truth is that not even all Disciples congregations know about this tradition.  For Disciples, it’s a natural fit because it brings together two of our historically favorite things – communion and Christian unity.  But just assuming we have great familiarity with these concepts decreases the power of this holiday.

The truth is that both communion and Christian unity are mysteries.  Many treatises, sermons, and songs have been written about what it means that Jesus gave us broken bread, calling it his body, and invited us to eat it in remembrance of him.  Will we ever truly comprehend all that can mean?  Perhaps on the other side of the veil.

As for unity, humanity has been struggling with this for centuries.  We seem to find uniformity much easier to recognize.  Our parking lot mural proclaims that here at VLM, we are “Celebrating the unity and diversity of the body of Christ!”  We know that unity does not require uniformity, and that the miracle of unity is that those of us being unified are so very diverse.  But what happens to all those differences when we are brought together as one?

We try to portray that glorious, beautiful miracle with our worship-scapes on World Communion Sunday, with globes and grapes and goblets.  This year, we’re inviting you to help add to the display showing what it means to be the body of Christ all around the world by bringing in something that represents your connection to another part of the planet. Art may be our best possibility for expressing our appreciation for the mysteries God has given us.  Let’s make something beautiful together this Sunday!