Sunday, March 5, 2023
“Receive Communion or a Blessing!”
Don’t quit on this one yet!
Let’s start with the obvious, “Receive Communion.” Today is the first Sunday of the month, and many Christian Churches that don’t celebrate daily or weekly Holy Communion (Lord’s Supper, Eucharist) will be celebrating Holy Communion today. This tradition of celebrating Communion just once per month began with the founding of this country.
As America was settled, the local church was usually one of the first (if not THE first) buildings constructed by settlers, even before their homes. The local church became the meeting place for everything and everyone. Picnics, town meetings, courts, dances, and, of course, worship took place in the church. It provided social activity and safe haven for everyone, regardless of their specific theological beliefs.
Clergy would usually accompany the wagon trains, and didn’t often stay in that town. They often moved on when the next wagon train passed through to help the new township build their local church. Since the clergy didn’t stay in town, folks used to celebrate weekly worship without the help of a minister. As a result, the townspeople would only celebrate the Lord’s Supper when the pastor came back through town, which often occurred only once per month.
The tradition of celebrating Holy Communion once per month has continued for the last 300 years, and the first Sunday of the month is the most commonly chosen day for local churches that don’t celebrate daily or weekly Communion.
Today’s Challenge is to receive Holy Communion. If you can’t receive Communion during worship for some reason, receive the priestly blessing by placing your arms crossways over your chest. The priest will gladly bless you.
If you are unable to attend worship today, you can still receive a blessing. How? Do something nice for someone. Lots of folks will respond, “God Bless You”, or something similar. If they don’t, find someone else and do something nice for them. If that doesn’t work, it’s okay. God knows what you’re doing, and the LORD blesses you because of your effort, guaranteed.
Receive Holy Communion or a Blessing Today!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)
