Blood Pressure
Originally scheduled for
June 21
Consider,
if you will, the measurement of human blood pressure. First, it is a dual
measurement – it measures two things because measuring one is not sufficient.
Second, have you noticed that the medical people do this every time you come
in? You can go in to be treated for acne and they will still take your blood
pressure. Third, it is a diagnostic of other diseases, not a disease in and of
itself. You measure blood pressure, but the doctor uses it for many purposes.
Communion
is much like that. In its own way it too is a measurement, bearing some
resemblance to blood pressure:
It
too is a dual measurement – we examine ourselves in both the body and blood.
Like
the Apostles, we do it every week. Last week’s results are not sufficient for
this week’s examination.
It
is a diagnostic – one which allows us to treat conditions such as the hardened
heart, the unrepentant mind, hypocrisy and pride.
We
said it is a dual measurement of the human soul. Let’s look at each
measurement:
We
examine ourselves as we partake of his body. We should cast our minds back to
the ugly scene of the Crucifixion, and remember that Christ went to that cross
voluntarily – because he loves us. We are to show that same love, and the same
spirit of sacrifice. We need to examine ourselves in this: is our love
shallow, or deep? Are our sacrifices coming from our excess, or from our
substance?
We
examine ourselves as we remember that the blood he spilled is the blood of the
new covenant – a new relationship with God. No longer is God distant from us,
up a chain of priests, reachable only with animal sacrifices. The way to God
is open, because of Christ’s blood. Are we in such a relationship with God?
If not, it’s not his fault.
Measure
yourself each week; then act.
