Monday, June 17, 2019
657 - Simple Things
Spirituality
Column #657
June 18, 2019
Common
Christianity / Uncommon Commentary
Simple Things
By Bob
Walters
With our hectic schedule leading up
to younger son John’s wedding this past Saturday in southern Indiana (John
married Jeni in Holton, south of Greensburg …epic wedding), I told my wife Pam
that the simplest thing I could think of regarding the writing of this week’s
column was to have her write it for me.
All she was doing was baking 14
dozen cupcakes in seven different flavors with various home-made frostings for
the reception, plus a slimmed-down “official” wedding cake (so they had
something to “cut”). Oh, and arranging hospitality
for our hotel “suite” (reality check … it was a Hampton Inn/Greensburg room
with a couch and kitchenette).
Anyway … sometimes you use what’s
available and what I was really suggesting was that we publish her communion
meditation from the June 9 traditional service at our E91 church in
Indianapolis. Pam said “fine” and went
back to her cupcakes. Here is the meditation:
“When Jesus served the last supper to
His disciples, His choice of elements was very simple. Unleavened bread and wine. But we humans have a knack for making the
simple complicated. Take bread, for
example. Have you seen the bread aisle
at your local grocery story? The wine
aisle? Yes. We certainly can complicate things.
“At every important event or holiday
in our lives, much of the focus is on the food.
Some of us cook and bake for days in preparation for Thanksgiving and
Christmas dinners because we want them to be special, an expression of love for
those who will sit around the table. And
certainly a meal fit for a King should be magnificent with many courses and
exquisite dishes – complicated.
“But communion with King Jesus is a
simple bread and cup. He doesn’t require
of us elaborate preparation, just careful examination of our lives, and then
most importantly, hearts full of love and gratitude as we remember Him and what
He did on the cross for each one of us.
“As we partake of these elements
today, keep it simple. Eat, drink,
remember, and be grateful.” (Communion is served …)
“In that most simple and yet most
meaningful last supper with His disciples, Jesus “took bread, gave thanks and
broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this
is remembrance of me.” (Bread is eaten.)
“After the supper he took the cup,
saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for
you.” (Drinking of the cup.)
“As the servers now come forward to receive
our offerings, would you please pray with me?
“Dear Heavenly Father: We are indeed so thankful for who you are and
for your love for us. Help us, Lord, to
keep our relationship with you simple.
Help us to not complicate it with our questions, doubts, and fears. May we each strive, as you have commanded,
for a faith like that of a child.”
Walters (rlwcom@aol.com)
notes that both the wedding cupcakes and the communion meditation were spread with Pam’s
special and unmistakable touch of love.