Communion | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginCommunionThe Way of Jesus is inevitably communal. Communion is intrinsic to a life of faith. We long for a sense of belonging. We weren't meant to live out faith in a vacuum of isolation. We were meant to process, translate, and discuss The Way in a communal setting. Much of life continues to gear us to be self-centric, so it is on us to practice the work of the people (liturgy) on Sundays to be the liturgy Monday through Saturday.Koinonia (/ˌkɔɪnoʊˈniːə/) is the Greek word, which means communion, joint participation; the share which one has in anything, a collection, a contribution. It identifies the idealized state of fellowship and unity that should exist within the Church. Historically & theoretically, this has a higher success rate within parish life... intentionally smaller with lesser show and distraction. Now, there is a drastic contrast between communion and consumerism."The church that can’t worship must be entertained.”—A.W. Tozer“I believe that the community - in the fullest sense: a place and all its creatures - is the smallest unit of health and that to speak of the health of an isolated individual is a contradiction in terms.” ― Wendell BerryIn creating rhythms to be with God and to be with one another, our expectations should be realistic and patient. Most of us paint our current situation in the light of a previous experience, be it positive or negative.The Eucharist is central to our worship. At the center of the Eucharist, is Christ: Life, death, and resurrection. Jesus is and always has been known in the breaking of the bread.Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have a deep and constant communion with God, enabling his “Kingdom Come” and will being done on earth as it is in heaven.John 15 (ESV)I Am the True Vine15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.“First, we must call people to communion with God, to intimacy with God, to a sense of belonging. Most people are lost, confused, alienated. They suffer and struggle immensely in relationships. We have to proclaim loudly and clearly in our actions and in our words that God loves us that we belong to him. That’s a call to the mystical life.” —Henri NouwenCommunion encourages grace, trust, and eventually begins to leave fingerprints on everything it touches. Communion allows us to choose to keep our soul healthy rather than fatigued and consumed. From a consumer-view, we take communion... from a communion-view, we receive.
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