Communion

I like preparing the elements for communion. There is something... well, spiritual about it. For some reason I can't shake the feeling of the presence of the Holy as I prepare it. I come from a tradition that views the elements as symbolic yet there is the feeling that there is something deeper here.

We use regular grape juice rather than wine which in some respects lends to the ordinary nature of the elements. I'm not sure how wine would change that and perhaps it wouldn't make any difference. But in spite of the ordinariness there still seems to be something powerful here. Something sacred. There is juice left over after I am done but it doesn't feel right to just drink it. I get the feeling that I would be desecrating something. I can't wait to partake with our church family.

Communion is one of those things that get me in trouble with some people in my church. I let children participate. I make a general announcement that communion is for anyone who believes in Jesus and then invite people to participate. I don't rule out the kids.

The kids participate with enthusiasm and as kids can do they often get the giggles. Nevertheless, they participate with wide-eyed wonder. I think they feel like they are apart of something big. They have been invited to join in a wonderful activity right along with the grown-ups. It is an invitation that they readily accept. It seems to raise their sense of value.

Somewhere along the way "an unworthy manner" went from a wild orgiastic party (okay, maybe I'm going a little far here) to a few girls giggling. Apparently if Jesus where here he would frown on these girls as they participate with glee. Somehow I have a hard time buying that. Instead I think he would be less annoyed at their disturbances than I am. He'd probably even smile.

I will continue to let those kids partake because I can't stand the thought of turning them away. Rejecting them. Keeping them out. Instead I will welcome them, invite them to join in and encourage them to participate. I imagine that their views of communion will change over time. (It will probably become a mundane ritual to them as it is to so many adults I know.) But I want them to develop their thinking through participation not from watching from a distance. I don't want to destroy their spirit.

I admit that I could be very wrong on this. But I think it is important kids participate in the rituals of their faith community. I think a lot of learning takes place here and I believe it is something that they will carry with them throughout their lives. They don't have to grow up to be a part of the community. They are a part of it right now.