I
could never keep them straight:
consubstantiation versus transubstantiation. Luckily, in 25 years of ministry no one has
ever asked me about this--one of the benefits of being Baptist. There is sometimes a little discussion
about the nuances of an ordinance and a memorial, but people soon lose interest
and move on to what desserts will be at the potluck next week.
This
past Sunday I gained a new appreciation of the meaning of the “real presence of
Christ” during a communion service at the Zomi Christian Church in Buffalo, New
York. I noticed at the front of the
sanctuary a large plastic tub with what looked to me like sawdust. Early in the service, a young girl brought up
a jar and poured something into the tub; I then realized it was rice.
After
having led the observance of communion, I ended the service with the following benediction:You have been fed; the bread gives you new life born of God’s love.
You have drunk; the cup gives you freedom born of God’s forgiveness.
Live this week alive with God’s love and free in God’s forgiveness.
I wanted our observance to bring the felt presence of Christ in their lives that week
As I talked with church members after the service, I asked about the rice. They said that each time a family prepares a meal they scoop up a handful of rice, put it in a jar, and bring the jar to church when they come. The rice is then used to feed the poor.
I thought: “Now this is ‘real presence.’” When the rice is shared with a needy family, Jesus is present in a palpable way. He once said, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
Blessings,
Jim Kelsey
Executive Minister—American Baptist Churches of New York State
