Balloon
Originally scheduled for
October 9
(You may want to begin this meditation by blowing up a
balloon.)
Consider the common balloon. Blow one up and ask people, "what is
this?" The answers may surprise you.
·
Most
people will tell you it's a balloon — something made of latex and
air. Nothing more.
·
Those
of us with a biting sense of humor might say it's a picture of
today's sermon: hot air under pressure.
·
But
ask a three year old. The eyes of the child see a magic and
wonderful thing; it's big, but light enough for even a little child.
Somehow, in our time, we have failed to make the distinction
between what a thing really is and what it's made of. It's easy to
see the ingredients for things. The ingredients for communion, for
example, are inspected by the Food and Drug Administration. They can
tell you how many calories and what vitamins are contained therein.
But only our Lord can tell you what communion really is. Think of it
this way: the creator and sustainer of the universe has told you,
"this is my body." Various groups of Christians interpret this in
various ways; all agree that it's not "just bread and wine." It is
much deeper than that – but you have to know how to look at it to
see that.
As you partake, consider how you see:
·
See
with the eyes of your mind. See beyond the physical reality to the
spiritual truth.
·
See
with the eyes of faith. We are given this memorial to proclaim the
death of Christ; it therefore also proclaims his resurrection.
·
See
with the eyes of hope. We partake in communion "until he comes
again." Christ will return; until then, partake in hope.
Sometimes, appearances can be enlightening.
