Daily Devotion
Scripture of the Day
Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (
Luke 22:19)
Reflection
The sacrament of Holy Communion combines all my favorite elements of church. The open table: if Judas who betrayed Jesus and Peter who would deny him have a seat at the table, then by golly so do I! The healing power of comfort food: when life breaks, I remember Jesus and find comfort in the breaking of bread. The model of discipleship: Jesus gave himself to his friends; he loved them as fully and completely as he could. This meant, demanded even, that he be broken — broken hearted, broken spirited, broken bodied. Love, at least the love that Jesus had in mind, is not a fine-silk, laced romance. It is a bloodied, bruising, bone-crushing loyalty. Jesus gave his body up to be broken so that the Word of love might never die. So, too, when I am tempted to comfort and convenience, I remember Jesus. Would that I could offer up my body to be broken so that a the Word of love might ring out again!
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for giving thanks. Thank you for holding up compassion and generosity even in the final hours of your life. Thank you for sacrificing your safety so that others might live. Give me the same spirit of courage and power to speak out, to stand up, to do and to be the living presence of your love in this world and in my church. Amen.
