Read: 1 Corinthians 11:2-34
Verses chosen for reflection
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
Reflect:
One of the many issues which the Corinthian church was having included the proper way of partaking in the Lord's Supper. In the early churches, the Lord's Supper was literally a supper. They would come and eat together prior to partaking of the Holy Communion. Quite unlike now, when we meet only once a month and partake using pre-packed elements. While our Communion ritual lasted approximately 10-15 minutes; theirs lasted the whole night.
For the breaking of bread was not just about a ritual instituted by Jesus. It was a way of life for the church. It was a way of life where believers learn to love and care for one another through eating together. They were also partaking together in one of the most sacred liturgy of the church. After all, the communion ritual is to be taken in remembrance of what Christ had done, who we are now in Christ and the very spiritual presence of Christ when we commune in this way.
Therefore, when Paul learned that the believers in Corinth were treating the Lord's Supper irreverently and even brought their pagan cultures onto the table, he had to rebuke them. Paul's admonishment of the church was that when they come together for the Lord's Supper, their motivations and hearts were not right with God. They come together as though they were in their former days; where they party, got drunk and not sharing their food with the poor. The concern was that as believers, their way of life did not seem to have changed. Embracing the gift of salvation on the one hand, but not allowing the redeemed life to instruct their new way of living.
Relate
To some extent, we can all relate to the Corinthian issue. We have the tendency to bring our former ways of living into the church and even expect people to accept them. When people do not accept them, we judge that they are being too conservative or "strict".
I remember once when conducting Communion for a group of children; I felt the need to rebuke them as they have been consistently treating the elements and liturgy with irreverence. Despite the teachers' monthly instructions and explanations, quite a few continue to toss their elements around and "play the fool".
Yet, after the rebuking in love; the children realised that it is indeed a matter they should pay more attention to. They understood the message and went with the liturgy in a much more reverent manner. Perhaps the sad thing is that no adult wanted to be the person to bring that message across in a more directive manner. Everyone talks about "love" but many a times, that "love" is rather misconceived.
So while it is true that we need to give people (and ourselves) time to "adjust" or "progress" in our way of living the new life; we cannot expect total indifference. As a redeemed child of God, we should expect changes in our lives. Changes guided by the word of God. Changes guided by well intentioned teachers and believers in the community. Changes convicted by the Holy Spirit who cannot contravene the teachings of Christ. Changes that can happen through prayers and the grace of God.
The Apostle Paul had not illusions to how a believer can and should live the new life in Christ. He was a constant advocate of how our life must be transformed in the likeness of Christ. And this does not only mean a few changes here and there. But a radical change in accordance to the Gospel. A total change that only make us better witnesses of the Gospel and hence, glory to God.
Rest
God our Redeemer. Help us discard the many worldly habits, cultures, traditions and ways of doing things that contravene the word of God. Give us discernment on what these things may be so that our life can be a better reflection of who You stand for. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Jason
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