Chris Suerdieck, Emmitsburg, MD
Scripture: Psalm 118:29
I am reminded as a clergyperson whenever I raise the cup during “The Great Thanksgiving” in a worship service, I am lifting the “Cup of Salvation.”
When the pandemic dictated attending church online, I questioned how to offer Holy Communion.
I grieved I would not receive The Lord’s Supper in the foreseeable future.
However, I came to believe God is present in online worship services.
For months, I poured grape juice into tiny plastic cups, put a dinner roll on a plate, and carried them into our home office.
Whenever the “online pastor” offered the prayer over the bread and the cup, I would break a piece of the roll and hand it to my husband, saying, “The Body of Christ broken and given for you” and after that, I handed him a cup saying, “The Blood of Christ poured out for you.”
He would do the same for me. It was a blessing to us both.
We received it with thankful hearts remembering that wherever two or three gather in Christ’s name, Christ is present.
During Lent, may we all reflect on how God in Christ through the Holy Spirit moves in mysterious ways, even throughout a computer screen during a pandemic!
Prayer:
O God, we bless you for always being present to us.
Grant that we may continue to give you thanks, remembering your goodness and steadfast love, which endures forever.
Amen.
A daily Lenten devotional reprinted with permission from The Society of St. Andrew to inspire help sharing nourishing food with neighbors in need.
Every $1 donated provides more than 40 servings to those in greatest need. A donation of $47 for the 47 days in Lent provides more than 1,880 servings.
What a way to celebrate the resurrection of hope and lift the cup of salvation for our hungry neighbors!
First Reflections 