after supper jesus took bread

blessed it,

broke it, 

and gave it to his disciples
saying,
take and eat - all of you
this is my body,
given for you
and for all people,
for the forgiveness of all sin.
do this
for the remembrance of me.

- words of institution

I often wonder what it would be like to be at the table with Christ and his followers in this moment. We've heard the words of institution in corporate worship a million times, and in every way they are still extraordinarily meaningful, but I wonder what it would be like to hear those words alongside the disciples, gathered in the upper rooms and living in the mystery of it all:

In community, Jesus takes a loaf of bread, and breaks it amongst his followers and friends. Passing it, Christ instructs that this bread represents his literal body as a new covenant that is given to us and all of humanity for the forgiveness of all sins & brokenness & wrongs & adversity that we can possibly commit. At that table, taking bread and wine, Christ breaks us from the bonds of human sin and welcomes us into freedom - a freedom to proclaim Christ's gospel and message of grace & peace & reconciliation for the whole world. Literally, everyone. We are instructed to live out this practice, this eucharist in community often, as we remember Christ's promises and death upon the cross - we remember this both for ourselves and for those who are invited anew each time to taste and see what God has revealed in the bread and wine, earth & grain & sustenance & hope.

I find myself baking bread and remembering these words often - as I knead I know that the loaves I am making mean more than mere food - they become means of expressing love and care towards my family and all who I give away loaves to, in remembrance of what Christ has done for all of us. A ciabatta in all of its crackly-singing-crust-glory or a lovely soft sandwich loaf can all say, "come and see that God is good." They are reminders, to me, of what Christ does and is for us. In Christ, and in bread, there is life.

In your baking, in your communion, in your brokenness & in your joy - may you find God.
May it be so.
Amen.

Dean