2015 World Communion Sunday: It is To Such as These
October 4, 2015

Even though the communion table is the one table to which all Christians are called, our understandings and practice at the table often serve to divide us. On this day, World Communion Sunday, we seek to overcome these barriers and commune with each other across them. As we eat of one consecrated loaf, we signal our unity with Christ and his broken body, the church, even as we celebrate and seek the oneness of the whole communion of saints on earth and in heaven. It is indeed, for such as these; broken, opinionated, sinful, but forgiven people, that Jesus prays for unity “that they may be completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me”(John 17: 23b). It is to this unity that we give witness on World Communion Sunday.

This year’s texts remind us of our common ancestors in faith who were created in the image of God (Genesis 2), crowned with honour and glory (Psalm 8:5), called as brothers and sisters by Jesus (Hebrews 2:11), and exhorted to receive the kingdom of God as little children (Mark 10:15). These are strong texts for helping us overcome barriers and to recognize the unity with which the Holy Spirit has gifted us.

As you plan this service, consider inviting a neighbouring congregation, preferably from another denomination, to join you in planning and celebrating it. If doctrinal matters make this challenging, then celebrate separate communion liturgies but follow with a shared Love Feast, or a Potluck that acknowledges Jesus as the table host and your unity as different subsets of God’s family. Also see this love feast litany that Mennonites and Catholics celebrate annually, and in which they share Jesus’ table hospitality within existing restrictions.