October 6,2019 "Peace at the Communion Table"

October 6   2 Timothy 1.1-14 “Peace at the Communion Table” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

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Communion is an international feast of thanksgiving. All around the world today, Christians are celebrating world communion Sunday. Christians are remembering the last supper Jesus attended with his disciples. At that last supper, he encouraged them to eat the bread and the fruit of the vine and remember that he was so convinced that we could be saved from our ungodly ways if we would just turn to him. He was so convinced that he kept on sharing that message, and he shared it to his own detriment. He shared it even when they hated on him. He shared it even when they were taking his very life. Then again, they did not really take his life. He gave it to them.

As sinners, saved by grace, we are thankful. When we remember Jesus and all he’s done for us. We cannot help but be thankful. Our gratitude causes us to give – as in the special offering we have today. Or gratitude brings peace to the communion table.

In 53 days or about seven weeks from now we will be celebrating Thanksgiving.  We hope that our dinners will be peaceful. We appreciate thanksgiving celebrations that cause us to become closer to one another. Healthy fellowship can fix all that is broken and keeps us strong enough to make good things happen over and over again.

The Apostle Paul was celebrating a type of Thanksgiving in prison as he suffered, getting into trouble with various politicians for talking about Jesus. This morning’s scripture is a letter from Paul, a father to his spiritual son. In verse 3 Paul says he was grateful, grateful to God, when he prayed for his son in the Lord Timothy. Paul mentions in verse 4 that he saw Timothy’s tears. He does not say why Timothy was crying. What is clear is that while he was praying, he was thankful to God. Prayer does stir up good things like gratitude. Spending time with God can cause us to praise every hour and repent every day. There is a song that says “Every day is a day of thanksgiving.” “God has been so good to me. Everyday he’s blessing me.“  

Paul says he was grateful when he prayed for Timothy, his son in the Lord. We may assume that Timothy was crying because they had to separate and would not see each other for a long time, maybe never. Some thanksgiving gatherings are like that. We shed tears when it is time to go back home.

The violins emerge and we hear in the back of our minds that song - Blessed be the Tie that Binds,

 We share our mutual woes,

Our mutual burdens bear;

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,

It gives us inward pain;

But we shall still be joined in heart,

And hope to meet again.

There are no doubt tears at every communion table no matter where communion is being served around the word this morning, there may be tears of joy or tears of sorrow. At the communion table, Christians are bringing burdens as well as blessings. Some of us have hearts that are filled with panic, some overflowing with prayer. We may bring our worries alongside our worship. It is no surprise to find laughter and love at the communion table nor is loneliness a surprise.  From the north, south, west and east in this world, we are welcome at this table just as we are – repentant or sinner, saved or lost.  God knows and God cares for all who come to share a meal with Jesus and his friends.

There is peace at the communion table. Jesus gives us peace of mind. It is not the peace that the world gives. The world makes war and calls it peace. The world tells lies and calls it peace. The world shows hate and calls it peace. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled,” Jesus assures us this morning. “Don’t, be afraid.“

What does Jesus mean? How in this world can we not be troubled as desperate addicts crawling around on our hands and knees in Kensington? Where do we find this peace Jesus has for us when no one can find that red van where I was last seen as a five year old girl named Dulce? What kind of peace does Jesus have for us when there is not enough food to live an active healthy life in this community, country, and this world?  What does peace mean when we are lacking health care and decent housing? When disease demands our money and our mind? 

Holy Communion teaches us that the Peace Jesus gives us is mightier than war, stronger than addiction, and more powerful than crime, corruption, greed, sickness or death. The peace Jesus has for those who come to this table, and any communion table around the world, is greater than any problem or suffering that we will ever bear. 

The faithful who come to this table, know the host. Jesus invites us to come and feast on the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness (generosity), faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  We come eagerly with thanksgiving in our hearts, for we are grateful for the many blessings that have been poured into our lives. Right living brings many blessings. Even in the midst of suffering – whether we ourselves are suffering, or our loved ones or our neighbors near or far, we always have blessings for which to give thanks.  There is always peace at the table when we commune with the one who loves us enough to save us from our ungodliness. 

We dress up and bring our best selves to this table. We celebrate how God has used us to do great things, to bring healing and hope, to care for one another, to minister and do missions using our gifts great and small.

We also bring our mixed up, broken up selves to this table. I heard a wife testify this week on the radio that she asked her husband a question and when he answered she said, “Don’t play dumb with me” which was a common saying in her family when she was growing up. Her husband looked hurt and later asked his wife, “Why did you call me stupid?” He had a learning disability and very rarely felt he was smart enough. She sent him to the store to buy half and half and he came back with fat free half and half and she thought it meant something and he did not even know it was part of the label.

The table is where we bring our best selves as well as the part of ourselves where we most urgently need Jesus. The most important thing is that we come, because in this world, we need peace of mind and the only place we find it is at the table, with Jesus and his friends. Amen.