It was interesting to page through The Covenant Companion, our denominations publication, when I picked up today’s mail. In this issue is an article on communion by the Dean of North Park Theological Seminary, John Phelan JR. The article is entitled “Should we fence the table?” Unfortunately, this particular article is not online.
In it he talks about “open communion” and what that means. I liked the way he uses the term “Jesus’ table fellowship” and talks about how Jesus both extended and accepted being at table with a variety of people. And he says, “If Jesus refused to keep sinners from the table and did not fear the corruption of his holiness by their presence, why should we?”
I guess I have always liked the words of the invitation to the table that are used in the Covenant service of Communion and Phelan quotes these in his article as well.
“Come to this sacred table… not because you are strong, but because you are weak;
not because you have any claim on the grace of God, but because in your frailty and
sin you stand in constant need of God’s mercy and help”
I guess serving communion to children on Sunday; children that really did not grasp the significance of the meal they were sharing in, made me think. None of us grasp fully the significance of the meal we share at Christ’s table. Yet Jesus gathered little children to his knee and told the adults around to become like them. So Jesus makes room for all of us; the old and the young; the silly and the serious; the wise and the imprudent. We come in all shapes and sizes and colours. There is always room for one more at this table where together we remember what he has provided. This table – unfenced and welcoming. I like his table!
LineaLanoie's Weblog 