First Holy Communion

Last Sunday my eight year old nephew Michael took communion for the first time. H e worked hard to prepare for this, studying the stories of Scripture and doing lots of extra homework to get ready to receive this precious gift. In keeping with the tradition of my Italian Catholic family, there will be a big party to celebrate this rite of passage in Michael's young life of faith.

On Tuesday, SOM took his first communion during our Tuesday Church service . SOM (short for Son of Man) showed up at the service for the first time. Though I met SOM in the park over three years ago, he is now settled into the apartment where he moved nine months ago.

SOM, with his reddish grey ponytail and crinkly smiling eyes

was raised in the Jewish tradition. He knows the Bible, both testaments, inside out and he can out quote me any day.

On Tuesday, he joined our small circle of believers as we talked about sheep. As a knitter, my mind wandered to the sheep and wool festival to be held in Maryland this coming weekend.

The group brought me back to our text in John as one man said that unless sheep feel completely safe, they will not lie down. The conversation moved to the safety God offers even when trying to sleep on very unsafe streets. I thought of a man who was stabbed this past week in a shelter.

We prayed, as is our custom, and then we prepared for communion. As I was getting ready to pour the grape juice into the cup, SOM said that he could not take communion. I reassured him that the table was open to all and that I was just serving the gift that Jesus had left us on the night before he died. I also told SOM that he was free to not take communion, that it was up to him.

I took the cup and the plate and I sat back down in the circle. Suddenly SOM said, "I love this...you mean you are going to do this sitting with us...with all of us on the same level?" I nodded and he said, "I think I want to be a part of this." I brought him the bread and Spence offered him the cup and SOM said...this is the first time I'm doing this, you'll have to lead me through..."

Later, as I walked through the park where I first met SOM, I heard him talking to some guys about the service and his first communion. He was beaming.

So, this week, I celebrate two first communions...Michael's and SOM'S. And though they may seem worlds apart, this week they were joined together by the one whose arms stretch really wide to take our hands.

Michael and SOM, be made strong by that body and blood given for you, and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. And may you know many more trips to that Welcome Table!

Who Will Roll Away the Stone?...an Easter Meditation

Text: Mark 16:3 "And they were saying to one another, 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?'"

From the Gospel of Mark we hear these words, "And they were saying to one another, 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?'"

Why do you think they needed a stone to be placed in front of the door of the tomb?

Blocking the door of the tomb with a large stone was an attempt to protect the body of Jesus from thieves or from those who might further desecrate it. It was a way to keep people out of the tomb.

The way Matthew tells the story, we hear that a sudden and great earthquake took place after which an angel descending from heaven rolled away this stone and then sat upon it.

In Luke's Gospel, the women show up with their spices to anoint the body of Jesus, and then according to Luke, "They found the stone rolled away from the tomb."

But in Mark's Gospel, the one we heard today, we are told that Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, on their way to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus said to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"

Mark, writer of the shortest and probably the earliest Gospel, tells us that these three women on their way to anoint the body of their beloved Jesus...these three faithful women were worried!

They were worried!

Can you hear it in their voices? Who will roll away the stone?



The ultimate, and perhaps the earliest worry stone.

But then the text goes on to tell us that "When they looked up, they saw that the stone...had already been rolled back."

The thing that these women had been worried about was gone. And now there was nothing to keep them from standing in that place where Jesus was buried.

They entered the tomb!

So here's a thought...I always thought the stone had been rolled away so that Jesus could get out...so that the resurrection could be full and complete...

But what if that stone had been rolled away because Jesus didn't want to keep us out, but to invite us in?

What if that stone had been rolled away so that we, along with Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome could enter that place of death, and see for ourselves that there was a power that was greater than death?

The women entered the tomb and I could just imagine Jesus whispering into their ears, "See, it's okay, there's nothing to be afraid of..."

Still, the text goes on to say that after having been told the news of the resurrection and being instructed to tell Peter and the disciples that Jesus would meet them in Galilee, the women "fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid."

So Mark, tells it like it was...these early witnesses to the resurrection filled with worry and then fear...but the Easter story is one that didn't end with the worry and fear but is a story that says, "To be continued"...in spite of our worries and our fears.



We rejoice this day because we have a God who so fully entered the places of human pain and suffering that there is no place or no thing that we will ever have to face in this life where God has not gone first and filled with God's love.

Not the largest stone. Not the largest worry, not the largest fear. Not even a rotting and worm filled tomb.

St Paul said it like this: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus."

Nothing.

To be a resurrection community doesn't mean that we will never be worried or afraid; rather resurrection joy means that God will stand with us in those worries and fears, loving us through those storms, and holding us close, no matter what.

So, when you came in today, you were given a rock. For today's offering I invite you to place your rock in the basket as it comes by you.

Think of the stones that have already been rolled away in your life. The worries that have been removed, allowing you to enter those places of new life. Think of those stones and give thanks.

Think, too, of those stones that still need to be rolled away. The things in your life that block you from living in the fullness of resurrection. The places of worry and fear. Those places where you need to call on the Holy One for help.

Think of those places...and with silent prayers of gratitude or cries for help, place your stone in that basket. And when all are gathered we will place these stones at the foot of our altar in confidence and trust that we are never alone.

Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Amen.