The Week Prior to Easter

In reading the accounts of the last supper I noticed something I had never noticed before. Matthew, Mark, and Luke have Jesus sharing with the disciples the bread and the wine. In that moment Jesus makes the connection between the bread and the wine and his impending death on the cross. From those accounts the church has developed the sacrament of communion.

When I John's account of the last supper there is no mention of the bread and wine. What John does mention is Jesus washing the disciples feet and also telling them to love one another. As I reflected on this I began to wonder if maybe these are ways that I can live sacramentally...and especially the week leading up to Easter. A sacrament has often been defined as "an outward expression of an inward reality". In other words, the outward ceremony tries to somehow convey the reality of an inward experience. As Quakers, we believe that one needs to be beyond the outward and experience the reality of the inward. If we were to practice an outward sacrament, could it be that the practice of servanthood and loving others can be a powerful expression of that leading up to Easter?

I find that for me that is a challenging way to live. This week leading up to Easter I want to be open to the ways the Spirit of Jesus shows me I can serve others and love others. This can be the way I engage in "communion" leading up to Easter weekend. My guess is that Jesus will show me very practical ways I can serve and love and if I am not paying attention I am going to miss it. But, those are the way I need to be communing with Christ..those are the sacraments of the present moment.

Easter Sunrise Service
Our Easter Sunrise Service will be at 6:45 AM Sunday morning. We will gather at the edge of the cemetary and welcome Easter Sunday morning with the reading of Scripture, singing of songs, and a few moments of silent reflection. After the service, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for our Easter morning breakfast. You are invited to join us on this Resurrection Sunday!