Come to the Table

Recently I finished reading Come to the Table it is a interesting to read a book about the community to which you belong. Ever since attending St. Benedict's Table I've been drawn to the openness and acceptance of everyone. The idea that Jesus welcomes us all is very powerful, especially when I think of my cruise ship days and hearing countless stories of people not feeling welcome into a church setting. In reading the Gospels Jesus appears to be inviting everyone to join him and God's kingdom. Maybe the part of open communion that scares people as the book mentions is that it does not require anything of an individual. I guess the idea that anyone can receive the blood and wine, maybe consider it cheap grace. The one thing with a 'cheap grace' view is if everyone can have communion nothing more is require, but that is definitely not the case at St. Benedicts as discipleship is at the forefront.

I guess the other side of open communion is what kind of role does baptism play in such a community. Obviously baptism plays a key role in the New Testament. I wonder if there is a difference between theological/doctrinal belief and practice. What role does baptism have in churches in 21st century is it simply that one can not take part in communion. I know that was the case when I was growing up that you couldn't have communion if you weren't baptised or the very least accepted Jesus as Lord. We have had a couple baptisms at St. Ben's the past two years and I must say it has been meaningful to the community and an emphasis has always been on the communities responsibility in a persons life. I guess it comes down to what role does baptism play in a community, is a thing we are expected as good Christians to do or is there something deeper.

What St. Ben's accomplishes by practicing open communion is inviting everyone to participate or belong. It is a mysterious thing that people can gather together on a Sunday evening and feel they belong. I know for a long time in my former Christian circles that has been a desire of mine and expressed by friends. So many people have said that they feel out of place and having to put on a mask. Not a mask of hiding behind something, but that the language and practice did not have a bearing on other parts of their life. That Sunday is the day not for escaping life, but informing and influencing your life that you can be this peculiar life that Jesus invites us to be.