Reverence

1 Corinthians 11: 21-22

“20 When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. 22 What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you!”

In the early Church, Christians would come together for a meal called a “Love Feast” as well as the Lord’s supper.  Apparently, in the Corinthian church, the Love feast had become corrupted and changed in such a way that it was taking precedence over the and in some cases taking the place of the Lord’s supper.

The wealthy members of the church would bring elaborate meals and wine, while the poor members came with less or nothing to eat.  Instead of sharing their meal as a proper Love Feast dictated, the wealthy would sit among themselves and eat their meal and drink their wine while the poorer members went hungry.  In some cases, some people over indulged in wine and became drunk.

The Love Feast, in which there should have been sharing and unselfishness, which should have been a preparatory ritual leading into the Lord’s supper, had become a selfish, drunken meal of overindulgence.  

How do we approach our rituals and sacraments today?  Do we remember their purpose and significance?

Do we participate with humility and reverence? 

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)