Cloister thoughts...
World Communion Sunday is observed on the first Sunday in October; this day calls the Church to be the universal, inclusive Church. The day was first observed by Presbyterians in 1936, adopted by the Federal Council of Churches in 1940, and shortly thereafter observed in Methodist and Evangelical Brethren churches.
The meaning of World Communion Sunday takes on new emphasis as we gather this October. Diverse – we are in America, polarized we are in our world religions. In the face of terrorists’ attacks, fear seeks to crip- ple our security, our safety. Close by – curfews are necessary to keep cities safe. People flock to churches to find direction. We are united in our appeal for refuge, for comfort, for words of hope.
I once heard an intriguing idea from a preacher whom I respect very much. She said, “Even if Christians cannot find unity in their positive theological doctrines, surely the Christian doctrine of sin unifies them.” What she meant, I think, was that many Christians approach their faith in so many ways it would be arduous to gain agreement on the essentials. For some Christians, the primary article of faith has to do with the Holy Spirit. For others, it is in a series of exacting doctrinal confessions. For still other Christians, their faith is best re- flected in service to others in Christ’s name. In other words, many of our denominations have peculiar doctrinal emphases that no single denomination could surrender. Perhaps, this is not all bad. Particular denominational doctrinal characteristics recall for Christians aspects of the faith that we may neglect. The preacher’s point was that despite all our positive differences, we are all unified in our sin.
We cannot “fix” our lives without the grace and mercy of God. Paul said it this way: “There is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23). As you prepare for worship this week, our gospel, our good news, focuses on ideal faith and its application in the life of believers. As the apostles gather with Jesus, they ask him to “increase their faith!”
We could read the apostles’ request for more faith in the light Jesus’ discipleship demands. Jesus’ reply to their request to increase faith is a simile. He tells them, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” On its face, this is ridiculous, but the point is clear: Impossible things are done by and through faith.
In Matthew’s version, Jesus says, “I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20). Either way, mountain or mulberry tree, Jesus’ point is the same. By faith, absurd and impossible things are done, “for nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday, and a day in which we speak about our commonality in being sinful people. Sin, as I use this richly textured, but often neglected word, means simply to be in “a state of alienation from God and other people.”
Come, and hear again Jesus’ words of invitation to you to be served by the Master. Come and be reminded again that “while we were yet sinners,” Jesus died for us, that we may have life and have that life abundantly. Come to The Table and learn again that by faith all things become possible – even peace for those crippled in fear – alienated by sin. Come, you have received your open invitation...see you at the banquet....
