Body & Blood

Today is Sunday and as I like to do I often reflect on matters of the spirit.  But this post is not meant to be fluffy and inspiring.  It is meant to shed light on something I found disturbing while attending church two weeks ago.

I am a member of a church in Jacksonville, Florida and live outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.  So on some Sunday’s I go to different services in the area to get a feel for the congregation, the message and the leaders of the church.  My experiences have been positive and personal and my criticism held in check as I feel anyone or anything that is attempting to do the Lord’s work should not be chastised.

However, two weeks ago I went to a local Catholic church.  Being the first Sunday in Lent I wanted to partake in communion.  I arrived 20 minutes early and walked the halls of a beautiful church and got a general feel of warmth and friendliness from those I encountered.  I went outside for some fresh air and when I came back in for the service I found the pews filled to the gills.  I walked to the front, no seats, so I turned and started back only to find an elderly lady at the end of a pew with several open spots next to her.  Before I could ask she was already shaking her head, but I said, are these seats taken?  She said they were.  So I went a couple more rows up and a nice middle aged lady with her husband offered me a seat next to theirs, which I accepted.

The service was outstanding; with a song at the end by the children’s choir…a break in tradition for the church.  But when it came time for communion I noticed only the Eucharist was offered, the body of Christ.  The wine, or blood of Christ was reserved in challises for the priest and his two deacons.  They openly drank before and after the congregation took the Eucharist.  Now I do not know for sure but it seemed to me the blood of Christ was missing from this service.  I have been to other services of other denominations where both the body and blood were offered as we pay tribute and reflect on the Lord’s last supper.  So I felt something was missing, especially after I watched the leaders partake in the offering of the blood, but not the common parishioners.

And that to me is the problem with a lot of churches and organized religion today, especially the Catholic Church; many in their congregations and some of their leaders have the body….but not the blood.  They have the bank….but not the wealth.  They have the soul, but not the spirit.  I realize all churches are different, but my favorite church is nondenominational that encompasses the body, blood, soul and spirit of our Living God.  All the banks in the world have nothing in riches compared to the wealth our Savior offers.  After the service I went to my truck and said a prayer.  I also hung a white rosary I received at the church from the mirror in my truck since I already have a multi-colored wooden rosary in my music room.  I do not mean to criticize anyone doing the Lord’s work, but that day I missed part of the Last Supper, while others drank in abundance myself and the others could only look on and wonder why we were not worthy, at least in man’s eyes.  But I do not need another man’s ceremony to worship my God, and I do not need a ceremony to receive the body and blood of Christ, for it is in me and all His believers already.

The Body of Our Lord lives and thrives in the Churches.  Thru church we gain fellowship and enrichment.  The Blood of Our Savior courses through the veins of His Believers once we are baptized in cleansing waters and receive the Spirit in our souls.  This transformation enhances our mind, heart and body to be more Christ like, even with all our human frailties and flaws.  Some churches have the body, but lack in the blood.  The Body of Christ lives in the churches, but surrounds us constantly.  The Blood of Christ is there for deliverance, if only your eyes are open and your heart ready for the infusion of His Grace.  Together, Body and Blood, are an unstoppable force of love, sacrifice, understanding and wisdom waiting for you to partake in its offering of forgiveness.

Say a simple prayer, acknowledge His Greatness and accept it in your heart and soul and your spirit will share in His Holy Spirit and the spirit of His many believers.  Seek out a new comfort zone even if it means leaving other comforts behind.  Seek and you will find others to help in your spiritual journey.  For in the end you will know you may stumble, but never fall from His Arms.

Remember the lady with the saved seats….well no one ever did come and sit next to her.  At the end of the service she still sat alone with several empty seats.  I made a point to walk by her as I was leaving out the front where the prayer candles were, I lit one for this church and one for myself.  And as I was leaving I seen her one more time, only this time I was the one shaking my head…but with a smile she would soon never forget.    

Have a Blessed and Peaceful Day.      Mark Chapter 14:12-26 

Bryan A.Stross   2/25/2018   9:15AM  EST 

Iron Station, North Carolina