23 I received a tradition from the Lord, which I also handed on to you: on the night on which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. 24 After giving thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this to remember me.” 25 He did the same thing with the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink it, do this to remember me.” 26 Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you broadcast the death of the Lord until he comes.
Reflection
I love to eat! Having a good meal with family and friends is one of the pleasures of life that fills me up, both physically and spiritually. For me, food is comfort and love. Food also has a way of marking moments or seasons of our lives. Eating a specific dish or tasting a certain flavor can invoke a memory of our childhood, a loved one, a trip we took, or a celebration we had. If only for a few moments, the taste of food can transport us back to a meaningful time and place. This not only nourishes our body, but also our soul.
So, with this in mind, as I reflect on the passage for today and the significance of Holy Communion it has become clearer to me why God has given us the tangible objects of bread and wine (or juice) to transport us back and help us remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. When taking communion, and having those few moments when I can physically taste the elements, I can feel my soul being moved and my mind clearly thinking about the awesome gift of grace Jesus has given us. Just like with any good meal, my soul gets nourished in these moments and I look forward to the next time I can experience this sense of comfort and love again.
by Manny Estevez
Question For Pondering
Is there a specific food or flavor that brings back cherished memories for you? When taking communion, what are the emotions that come to you?
Prayer:
Loving God, thank you for the gift of food and the sense of comfort and love eating a good meal with family and friends give us. And above all else, thank you Lord for the nourishment to our soul your awesome gift of grace provides. May we remember and be thankful for this gift today and every day. In the glorious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
