Alva Review-Courier -

I grew up in the First Christian Church of Tonkawa, which at the time was part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. The church I serve here in Alva is the same. The main thing most people know about our church is that we take communion every week. Some people think that’s too much and some like the idea. What is your relationship with communion?

The first communion I ever remember was a special one. My best friend Seth and I were typical little church kids. We were restless and hyper and hungry for two hours straight on Sunday mornings. So, one Sunday we decided we had had enough of everyone in the church getting snacks besides us. Of course, the snacks we had in mind were actually the little pieces of bread and tiny cups of grape juice that were passed around in the middle of worship. Either way, we were hungry, and we knew where the stash was kept.

We made our way downstairs during worship, sneaking past the greeters and anyone else in our way, and we rummaged through the drawers until we found it. The box was labeled Communion Wafers and they looked like little squares of cardboard. But to two starving kids at church, they might as well have been gourmet pastries. We ate our fill and were just about to wash them down with a Dixie cup full of juice when we were caught by one of the elders who mercifully sent us back upstairs to sit with our parents.

Even though I didn’t understand it at the time, I still consider that my “first communion.” Why? Because I believe that the Lord’s Table is welcome to all, even hungry children with no knowledge about theological matters. I believe the same to be true during church as well. It brings me joy to see people partake of these elements on a weekly basis, whether they’re members of my church, first time visitors, members of other churches, kids with hungry bellies, sinners, saints, or even those for whom it is their first time ever setting foot in a church building.

Judas ate the Passover meal with Jesus and the rest of the Twelve. Jesus welcomed the children, the sick, the tax collectors, the fishermen, and women and men alike to join him at the table. So, on behalf of the one who welcomed you to the table, make room for others as well. And if you’ve never been personally invited, consider this your invitation. Come take a load off. Have some food and drink. Maybe even get your feet washed. All are welcome.