Not going to mass

I didn't go to mass this morning - and of course would not have gone to mass in the proper sense had I attended. I rather missed that quieter start to the day but I did receive and read this excellent sermon by Simon Barrow

http://www.hyattsvillemennonite.org/sermons/sm_20070722.pdf

Reading it was almost a eucharistic experience. I wish I had been there in that Italian community as the eucharist became agape and yet I suppose that because the story is being told I was there in some way - reminds me of a line from a Fred Kaan and Doreen Potter hymn "pass the word around loaves abound!"

I must be a strange person - reading sermons before breakfast and thinking about hymns rather than pop songs. No doubt thanks to the glories of the internet I'll be able to give you the full words below.

Yesterday the role of the sacraments in conversion was mentioned - the eucharist in particular - as being a way of teaching and initiating. I found it very interesting to hear that coming from Catholics - most of our churches have made the eucharist the "prize" we are allowed access to once we have been properly initiated - catechised and baptised etc. In some religious contexts, Christians practice their faith but are not baptised - in order to protect themselves and their families - are they admitted to the eucharist? I hope so.

Protestants are often so focussed on words - preaching, the Bible, testimony etc. - that we forget that we are called to a ministry of word and sacrament and that both word and sacrament can convert.

In the "soft" part of European Christianity where I last ministered this led the elders and catechists to work together on encouraging children who attended worship to feel that they too were invited to the Lord's supper. It actually meant that we ended up re-evangelising many of the parents, asking them to particpate in worship with their children, to come back to church and to share Christ's common meal as a family. I remain convinced that children and adults can "learn" as much about their faith through communion as through a sermon.

Here's the hymn, written by my former moderator.

Let us talents and tongues employ,
reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one,
at the table he sets the tone.
Teaching people to live to bless,
love in word and in deed express.
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, sends us out
bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) ev’rywhere!
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the word around: loaves abound!

Words Fred Kaan
Music I think Dorren Potter
Probably to be found in Cantate Domine, Rejoice and Sing and other good hymnbooks