Last week during my school’s Wednesday Holy Communion & prayer time a student shared some beautiful words at the Table. It appears these words were first used at Mt Hollywood Church in Los Angeles, California on Palm Sunday, 2020. If anyone can either confirm or redirect my citation of this I’d appreciate it.
So beautiful! …especially in a time of quarantine.
Passion Week 2020 Words of Institution of the Eucharist
“This is my body…”
This is the body of Christ.
This body knows what it is like to long for a hug, but not be able to get one when it needs it the most.
This body knows how to feel a hug through a window or a screen.
This body knows what it is like to be afraid.
This body knows what it is like to be loved out of its fear.
This body knows what it is like to be hungry, but not able to go to the store to get food.
This body knows the sadness of having enough food but feeling the hunger of others.
This body feels helpless in the face of injustice.
This body is energized for activism to change the unjust structures of society.
This body knows what it is like to lose its job when it needs it the most.
This body knows what it is like to work in a hospital without enough protection.
This body knows what it is like to be alone in a hospital bed, unable to have visitors.
This body knows the joy of getting a phone call from – anybody.
This body knows what it is like to wake up in the middle of the night, worrying.
This body knows what it is like to fall back asleep and dream sweetly, oblivious to the cares of the world.
This body knows life in all its sorrow and pleasure, fulness and emptiness, eagerness and trepidation.
This is your body.
This is the body of Christ.
Take, and eat….
Rev. Jim Burklo, Associate Dean of Religious Life
Questions:
- What creative liturgies have you seen, been using, or been crafting in quarantine?
- Where are you finding new worship music, practices, prayers that are helped your community in this era?
- What forms do your communion elements take during this time of shelter-in-place?
Peace, dwight
