Bread of Life

This block of our Sunday School classes has me particularly excited. Our theme throughout the church among children, youth, and adults is worship. Evan and I are team teaching a class entitled, “Instructed Worship.” Each week we explore a different service or part of a service in depth, as we actually walk through the Prayer Book liturgy.

Looking over the course syllabus gets this church nerd fired up! We will soon get to the Holy Eucharist, the Daily Office, the Blessing of a Marriage, and the Burial of the Dead, which is this week’s topic. Evan taught on this past Sunday about the Reconciliation of a Penitent. And, back during our first class, fittingly enough we went through the service of Holy Baptism. We walked through the liturgy during the class and then at the 10:30 service we actually baptized a new member—Gunnar Mattox.

At the start of the Sunday School session we worked our way through a small piece of the Catechism, which is an Outline of our Faith. It is located in the back part of our Prayer Book. If you are ever wondering about a nagging theological question it probably won’t give you a complete answer, but it is a good place to start. On that Sunday morning we perused the bit from the Catechism on the sacraments. The definition our Prayer Book gives for sacraments is “Outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace” (Book of Common Prayer, 857). Outward signs that are sure and certain means of inward grace. As usual when I read this part of the Prayer Book and thought about it, I was amazed.

Christ has given to us signs that are sure and certain means of a profound gift of love that we receive inside ourselves. For us Episcopalians we hold up Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist as the two sacraments that Christ Jesus gave to us. He participated in these two sacraments, thus we can read about them in Holy Scripture. We have five other sacramental rites, outward signs that also point to inward grace—only they were not given to us by Christ. These are Confirmation, Reconciliation of a Penitent, Blessing of a Marriage, Ordination, and Ministration to the Sick. We can pretty easily see the outward and visible signs in any of these, but especially in Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. What are they?

The outward and visible signs in Baptism are water and oil. While in Eucharist they are bread and wine. As I prepare for officiating at a wedding this Saturday, I think of the signs in that liturgy. Giving and receiving rings, the priest tying his stole around the couple’s joined hands as she or he pronounces they are married, and even the kiss or other sign of peace they share. All of these are signs that point to something happening inside. But, with all of these liturgies—whether they are sacraments or simply sacramental—I wonder, “What would Jesus think of what we are doing?”

In today’s Gospel lesson we happen upon Jesus discussing signs with a crowd. This was a group of people who had been fed by Jesus during his mass feeding. Before we get to the part of the conversation we heard, Jesus claimed that they were not looking for signs, but more food. They did not see that feeding as a moment of transformation when their hearts, their souls were transformed by grace. Rather, they were looking for Jesus to become their miracle caterer. As they were good Israelites, they knew the story of Moses and the manna.

The crowd began to point to how Moses was a miracle worker in the wilderness. With this reference they were attempting to retort Jesus’ claim that they were only looking for food. Essentially they said, “Well, our ancestors did that with Moses, right?” Jesus, though did not take their bait. Instead, he recognized the true source of that bread—God, the Father! Then, he went on making a bold claim in the process.

Not only was God the one who gave the bread that would give life to the world, Jesus said, “I am that bread!” I will give life to the world. When we gather for Holy Eucharist that is what we are celebrating. We are celebrating Jesus as the bread that gives life to the world—gives life to us. When we take the bread and drink from the cup we are receiving life. So, again I wonder, “What would Jesus think?”

The answer to that is tricky. God is the one who does the action in the Eucharist. We are part of it. We are there. We are celebrating with God, but the efficacy of Holy Communion or any sacrament/sacramental rite does not depend upon our understanding what is happening. Instead, what matters is our participation, our being here, our receiving, and in our reception we are transformed.

I find it striking that we also heard the story of Stephen today. It almost seems like we can look at these two readings in reverse order and see a before and after moment. What happens when we allow God to transform us through these signs that are sure and certain means of God’s grace? Well, living (and dying) like Stephen is what happens!

While looking at the protomartyr Stephen may scare us, I actually find solace in his story. Stephen a member of the early Church certainly received communion. He was enhanced by the Good News of Christ Jesus. He was fed by the bread of life. He knew that is what truly mattered. And, his whole life was transformed by the grace of God such that he had the courage to do what he did. What will happen to us? How will God transform us? What will eating the bread of life do to you?