Not for the Faint of Tongue
- davidwperk
- Oct 11, 2023
- 6 min read
Daily Office Devotional, Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Proper 22, the week of the nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s epistle reading:
23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 25In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
You will find the full text of today’s epistle reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings: (BCP, (986)
AM Psalm 119:145-176; PM Psalm 128, 129, 130
2 Kings 22:14-23:3; 1 Cor. 11:23-34; Matt. 9:9-17
Today we celebrate the Feast of Philip. (See below.)
David's Reflections
The paper lining in an Altoids mints can proclaims, “Not for the faint of tongue.” Altoids do indeed have something of a tart taste. Dare we say the same thing about Holy Communion—“not for the faint of tongue.”
This Epistle reading reveals much about the transmission of the Lord's Supper tradition and about the situation in the earliest church. For one thing, Paul’s account of Jesus' institution of the Eucharist predates the earliest Gospel version, Mark's, by at least 15 years. And, his account most closely resembles the form of the eucharistic words found in Luke, a Gospel written at least 20-30 years after 1 Corinthians.
This early written record verifies that the traditions which found their way into our Gospels were circulating in oral and written form and were well preserved some time before the Gospels were composed. We have four accounts of the institution of the Eucharist--Matthew and Mark, close parallels; and Luke and Paul, close parallels. You will notice that Paul's and Luke's forms of the eucharistic words have influenced the Episcopal prayer book, more so than Matthew's and Mark's. (NB Book of Common Prayer, pp. 361ff.)
This passage also puts the responsibility on us to participate in the sacrament with integrity. The outer act of receiving the bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus, must correspond with our inner attitude. If we receive the sacrament with confession, introspection, and reverence for Christ's living presence in the elements, we will be more fully nurtured and transformed and the unity of the church will be strengthened. However, if our behaviors and our inner spirit are divisive and conflictual within the church, the outer act and the inner attitude will be in conflict; we, individually, and the larger church will suffer as a result. “Not for the faint of tongue.”
It is not that we cannot experience grace in the sacrament if we lack reverence and awareness. We are encountering the real presence of Christ there. Rather, our experience of that grace will be impaired by our lack of reverence and awareness and by our conflict-prone behaviors.
One more remarkable statement by Paul calls out for notice. "as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes." The Eucharist proclaims visibly the significance of Christ's life, death, and resurrection as the way of eternal life and forgiveness. A church focused on the unchurched, inviting and including them can make Holy Eucharist into an "altar call" for faith in Jesus. What more vivid presentation of the message of God's saving love than for a person without faith to hear the Great Thanksgiving and experience Jesus for the first time in the community of faith at Christ’s table.
Who will you invite to go with you to worship this Sunday? Holy Communion is all about mission in the world and our inviting all to the celebration. “Not for the faint of tongue.”
Collect of the Day, Proper 22 The sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 234)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Philip, deacon and evangelist (New Testament period)
Collect of the Feast of Philip
O God, who has made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that we, following the example of your servant Philip, may bring your Word to those who seek you for the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
In Times of Personal Distress
Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen. (Enriching Our Worship: 2, p. 69)
A Prayer for Light
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
Daily Office Epistle, 1 Corinthians 11:23-34
23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 25In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I will give instructions when I come.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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