Communion: It is an Emotional Experience

Sometimes its necessary to take a break from everything in life. Today, it was also a pleasure, to return to church and find a place of peace. There are so many decent folks at Bethlehem Lutheran in Annandale, VA, and it was joyous to return to this place of worship after a recent knee surgery. Simply put, I missed it, whether the people that are in the congregation, or just getting down on my knees to accept Communion. Going to church is a very emotional experience for me, and I am not ashamed to say, that tears often flow down my cheeks. It is not a mark of weakness, but rather strength, in understanding that I am far from perfect, and yet even as a screw up in so many regards, I am loved by people, and Jesus. Many times I wish my faith could be stronger, as I wrestle with it often, and it leads to frustration. Yet today there was none of that, but actual reflection about the past few years, along with prayers for people who truly deserve them.

There are many times, that I think, well if Jesus is real, why doesn't he just show up on the White House lawn? Its that skeptical side, because just like everything in life, if I don't see it I don't believe it. Yet I feel His presence. It is most certainly there, and times like today, its in every bone of my body. The most compelling time is Communion. That common refrain of "not showing up for some 2012 years," dissipates into thin air, as I feel something that I simply cannot explain. Many times when Pastor Gerry puts up that bread, "eat this to remember me by," and that chalice of wine "Drink this to complete my covenant," I feel something in the air that is so electric that it moves me to tears. I think of the visual pain displayed in "The Passion of the Christ," a movie that I fully recommend.

So mysterious life is. There's just so much, that we simply don't know. It can lead to much consternation, and   also a flurry of emotions. Yet at this moment, it goes far beyond that, as its a moment of love. I have a lot of work to do on the faith angle, and in many other aspects of day to day living. Yet I am profoundly thankful, for the love of Jesus, that does exist in my heart, along with the hearts of so many others. In one hour, I feel better, and wish that more people would choose to enter the doors of this church, or any place of worship for that matter. John 3:16 about sums it up. I hope to live a long and productive life, yet its up to a higher power, to decide the day of my going home.Until then, there is much work to be done, and may it be done with love and a desire to improve the lives of my fellow human beings.