Peregrine
Originally scheduled for
April 3
Many of us have seen the Peregrine falcon in-flight. We are told
that it is the fastest creature on God's earth, achieving a speed of
over 200 mi./h in a dive. It is also the most widespread of aerial
predators; the only major landmass which doesn't have Peregrine
falcons is New Zealand.
But did you know that the word Peregrine itself has a
corresponding word in the English language? Peregrine is Latin; the
corresponding English word is Pilgrim. As you should know, every
Christian is a Pilgrim. How so? The original word Peregrine means
"one from abroad." In other words it means one who is a traveler
through the land, not a native or resident of the land. The
Christian understands this clearly, for this world is not our home.
Indeed the Scripture tells us that friendship with this world is
enmity towards God. We are "just passing through."
Our real home is in the kingdom of God. We are the children of
God, and therefore belong in his kingdom. On this mortal world, that
kingdom is the church. But the day is coming when the kingdom will
be established both in heaven and on Earth.
Communion is the sign that a person is in the kingdom of God. By
taking communion, you recall the price that was paid to establish
the kingdom of God. That price, the death on the cross, was paid
once and for all by our Lord and Savior. When you accept that, and
partake of communion you are proclaiming your pilgrimage here on
Earth. But you also proclaim your belief that Christ will someday
return to judge the living and the dead. His return will be in
triumph, and he will welcome the good and faithful servants who have
been the mainstays of the kingdom since he left.
There is the test: good and faithful servant. When you take
communion, you are reminded of what you should be — the good and
faithful servant. Examine yourself then, repent of your sins asking
his mercy. Then take his communion just as you would if the world
knew always that you were a child God.
