Communion

Synchronicity has the effect of focusing my attention, so when out of the blue a letter from my cousin arrived this morning offering his understanding of 'communion' hot on the heels of Mark's sermon yesterday on this topic, it didn't seem beyond the realms of possibility that God has something to say to me. My cousin is a Christian but not a Roman Catholic, so I was interested to find his letter quoting from Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter which speaks of the need to promote a spirituality of communion:
'A spirituality of communion indicates above all the heart's contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, and whose light we must also be able to see shining on the face of the brothers and sisters around us. A spirituality of communion also means an ability to think of our brothers and sisters in faith within the profound unity of the Mystical Body, and therefore as "those who are a part of me". This makes us able to share their joys and sufferings, to sense their desires and attend to their needs, to offer them deep and genuine friendship. A spirituality of communion implies also the ability to see what is positive in others, to welcome it and prize it as a gift from God: not only as a gift for the brother or sister who has received it directly, but also as a "gift for me". A spirituality of communion means, finally, to know how to "make room" for our brothers and sisters, bearing "each other's burdens" (Gal 6:2) and resisting the selfish temptations which constantly beset us and provoke competition, careerism, distrust and jealousy. Let us have no illusions: unless we follow this spiritual path, external structures of communion will serve very little purpose. They would become mechanisms without a soul, "masks" of communion rather than its means of expression and growth.'

(That bit about us being able to see the light shining in the faces of our brothers and sisters seemed particularly apt as I commented to Julie M-F last night on the bright light of Jesus in her eyes.)

But getting back to yesterday's morning service, coming from an Anglican background, I was very glad Mark included the general confession before communion yesterday. I hadn't realised how much I was missing that! Plus it gave me the opportunity to confess my unfaithfulness in not reading out the scripture I felt I was being called to read - and I'll take this opportunity to give it here:

Isaiah 56 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Isaiah 56
Salvation for Others 1 This is what the LORD says: "Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil."
3 Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely exclude me from his people." And let not any eunuch complain, "I am only a dry tree."
4 For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant-
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
8 The Sovereign LORD declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: "I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered."

It all sounds very encouraging, don't you think?