August Thoughts:

August Thoughts:
The summer has been busy with the Albion Literacy Program, Vacation Bible School and a day as priest at the Junior Episcopal Youth Camp at Camp Newaygo.  To think I once said that I did not think that my ministry would be with children.  God must have chuckled.  My vacation in Winnipeg, MB, North & South Dakota and then in Vancouver, BC were the fulfillment of long held bucket list items and they more than met my expectations.  God’s creation is amazing, so beautiful!  As much as I have enjoyed my summer, I am looking forward to fall and the return to my regular schedule.
 
The gospel readings for August, John chapter 6, have provided an opportunity for pondering the meaning of the Holy Eucharist, of the elements of bread and wine as the Body of Christ, the Bread of Heaven and the Blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation.  What was Jesus trying to tell his disciples and why has the author of John told the story in such a difficult way?  Surely Jesus did not expect his disciples to literally chew on his flesh and drink his blood, he must be speaking figuratively, but why so gruesomely in a way that would be unacceptable to his Jewish disciples?  Jesus is speaking of his death.  He is willingly giving his life for the life of his disciples and all who come to believe in him.  Jesus’ blood was spilled when he was arrested, tortured and crucified.  The incarnation is the divine coming in flesh which Jesus willing gives up in obedience to God and for the redemption of the all people.  Jesus has been sent into the world by God.  Jesus does the will of God.  Jesus is in God and God is in Jesus.  Jesus invites his disciples to take him into their lives, to make him part of them. 
 
The Holy Eucharist is a weekly reminder that Jesus and God are with us at all times, in sickness and health, in the good times and the bad, when a loved one dies and with a new birth.  As we consume the bread and the wine and they become a part of us, we are reminded that Jesus is a part of us, deep within our being.  We do not understand how or even why, it is a mystery, but we believe it none the less.  May you believe that Jesus is with you at all times.