“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he said the blessing, he broke it and gave it to his disciples. ‘Take and eat,’ He said, this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he handed it to them saying, ‘Drink from this, all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”
Matthew 26: 26-28

Jesus in giving of himself in this meal, in dying on the cross and glorified in his Resurrection has universal significance for all humanity.

This Passover meal is no ordinary meal. Jesus is with his companions who became his family, whom he loves and who love him. During the meal, Jesus inaugurates the sacrament of the Eucharist.

In most cultures a meal is perhaps the most important moment of sharing and intimacy within the life of a family. To be invited to share in the hospitality of such an event is a privilege and a sign of friendship, acceptance, and respect.

These past two weeks, during many meals with my family and friends, I experienced love, laughter and sharing of memories. Gatherings that for me were extraordinary and had special meaning.
I believe all such experiences with family in some wonderful ineffable way reflect the familial and mutual love evident in that Passover meal.

Do not most families at meals, graced with blessings, to celebrate an event, or just to get together, experience love and joy? Are not all such family gatherings a gift from God and somehow have sacramental significance? Do we not experience that in every Eucharist: fellowship, agape love, sharing a meal, sharing Jesus?   

“God, you are my God, from early morning I am with you; my heart thirsts for you, my body longs for you, as a land parched, dreary and waterless.”
I am bold to call you Father, yet I seem so far away from you. How can this be? I know you are with me but in the roar of the world I cannot hear you; in the depths of my being, I perceive a void. Where is this desert the psalmist speaks of? I must look into my own heart for I am responsible for that void. I know that in my self-absorption, in my turning away from you I become oblivious to your presence in my life. Yet, I thirst and your Spirit quenches my thirst. I hunger and your Son feeds me. I am restless and you give me the hope of your Eternal kingdom. I pray I become aware every moment in every way of your presence in my life.
“Thus, have I gazed on you in your sanctuary, seeing your power and glory.”
Lord, I see your glory in him just as Peter, James and John did on the mountain. At our gathering you give me your Son: Transfigured . . .  Crucified . . . Risen. At your table, here in a holy place Christ feeds me and nourishes your life in me, heals my wounded nature and frees me from death.
“Better your faithful love than life itself; my lips will praise you; thus, I will praise you all my life. In your name lift up my hands. A song of joy on my lips and praise in my mouth.”
At worship and in the world doing the work you give me to do, for all the blessings you gift me, Lord, I thank you. It is a good and joyful thing to love and worship and speak to you.
“Yahweh, you examine me and know me; you know when I sit and when I rise. You watch when I walk or lie down. You know every detail of my conduct.”
God knows and loves me, beckoning me into a relationship personal, intimate and faithful. How can I hear God’s voice and follow where God leads? Does God call ordinary people like me? And, to what and where does God call me?
“Where shall I go to escape your Spirit? Where shall I flee from your presence?
God calls out to me. Inviting me to share God’s life. How can I hear that call? What could hearing it mean as I live day to day?
“If I speed away on the wings of the dawn. If I dwell beyond the ocean, even there your hand will be guiding me, your right hand holding me fast.”
Lord, I pray I recognize The Risen Christ in me and in everyone I see. I ask for your enabling Grace that as I hear your call, I learn step by step to walk with Christ. And in answering your call I discover myself.

“I said to the angel who spoke with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 Then the angel who spoke with me answered me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6 He said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7 What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain, and he shall bring out the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ 8 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Zechariah 4:4-10

The prophets Zachariah and Haggai wanted the destroyed temple rebuilt. They hoped for renewed community with a vision of the Jewish people dating back to the days of King Solomon. However, rebuilding the temple was controversial. Many in Jerusalem were not Jewish. They were against rebuilding the temple which had no significance for them.

The trouble with religious convictions or beliefs is that we can rarely prove or disprove them. So, we start arguing with those whose conviction and beliefs differ from our own. History is filled with groups who believe they were exclusively endowed with divine truth so that they possess a unique mission and a unique authority within it.

Disagreement over religious and political issues is nothing new. It need not separate us from “One God, One faith” into bitter and hostile siblings. Today, we encounter committed Christians, who advocate different values and different understandings of the value of faith. We find disagreements and polarities, from those who advocate for secular values in a secular sphere, to those who want to see a more “Christian” nation.

God does have a vision for us. How do we live it out? We say we believe in God within us, the Holy Spirit of healing and forgiveness, of agape love.

The answer could be to switch from belief to practice; from believing things about Jesus to imitating Jesus.

“The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters.” 1 John 4:21

My sisters and brothers may the grace of God be with you.

“And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matt 6:27,34

I share this because these days there are so many things in our lives that discourage, cause stress and worry.
 
Just living in this day and age gives all of us real and concerning issues to stress and worry about. Most of which we cannot solve all by ourselves: the economy, the price of gas, the war in Ukraine, national policies. I’m sure you can add to the list. There are those we can do something about, even alleviate, getting beyond! They won’t disappear. But I believe the worry and stress will!

Looking back just over the last weeks, the issues I worried about could really have bothered me: a crashed computer, possibility of losing everything, post-op healing of my left hand.

Jesus provides us with some simple yet profound wisdom in navigating through these troubled waters. Jesus tells us to listen to God’s voice in the present moment, to act on what we hear, and to accomplish the one or two things we can do today. Just moving ahead, doing what we know has to be done about an issue, somehow reduces the stress.

What helps me get through the day is praying in the morning, the prayer “A Morning Resolve” from “Forward Day by Day”. 
 “I will try this day to live a simple, sincere life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement.” 

During the day, as worries tend to flood my mind, I remember the prayer. I think: "God will take it from here. It will be better. Issues will resolve." And they somehow do resolve! I can breathe again! Ah, serenity! Ah, joy!

For me, it really is a sane way to live. Remember Jesus is always with us, and in us and invites us to:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matt 11:28-30
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Be well,
In Christ,
Rev. Bob Perrino