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A Contemporary Story: Paula’s Dilemma
Paula sat in the car as Anil drove them to church. She tried to relax as they drove to church. She told herself that it was the one time each week when she could sit in silence, with no one making demands of her. The Communion Service today was a plus.
As the Service continued Paula relaxed and let her mind wonder. She looked around and saw a variety of expressions on the faces of those who had come to worship. The Communion Service began. The bread and the cup were blessed. The Minister invited everyone to the Open Table and said all were welcome. Anil was one of the first to move forward. Paula sat and waited. She was torn between habit and indecision. She always walked with Anil. She always ate the bread and drank from the cup. She always felt the Communion was sacred and not a habit. Anil returned to his seat and stared angrily at Paula. “What are you doing? Why didn’t you receive Communion? It’s nearly over”. Paula rose and went forward. She heard the words “Christ died for you” followed by “Do this in remembrance of me” as she ate the bread and sipped from the cup. She turned round and kept walking. She didn’t stop till she was out of the church and in their car.
Not a word was spoken as Anil drove home. Amy was seated with her mobile phone texting friends. “How was church Mum?”. “It was good” replied Paula. “Then why did you behave so badly and walk out?” asked Anil. Amy stopped texting. “Wow Mum! What did you do?” “What I always wanted to do but never had the courage” Paula replied. “Communion is not a habit to me. It is a sacrament. It has to do with faith and remembering that Christ died for us”. Amy responded: “For you, maybe. Haven’t you noticed that not everyone walks up? That some are trying to control their kids as they walk? And the kids – do they know what it’s all about? I don’t. That’s why I never come. None of my friends in school go to church anyway.”
Paula sat quietly as Anil turned the pages of the newspaper. Amy broke the silence. “And to believe that a piece of bread and a sip from a cup turns into flesh and blood – how can you possibly believe that Mum. It’s unreal!”. Paula looked at her hands and recalled holding the bread and the cup. She searched for the right words to express what she wanted to say to Amy. She wanted to say that the Open Table with the bread and the cup were symbols of Jesus’ final meal with his disciples, thousands of years ago. That the bread and the cup were symbols for his sacrifice of his life, for us. That they should not be taken literally or lightly today. As she looked at her hands she saw her wedding ring. It was symbol of the vows she had made to Anil when they married. Would Amy understand what she was trying to say? That the rings were symbols of commitment and love. Similarly that the bread and cup were symbols of God’s love and commitment to us?
Paula went into the kitchen to start lunch. Anil continued to read the newspaper. Amy continued texting her friends.
Pray:
God made known to us through symbols of bread and cup, please accept my flawed and inadequate response and welcome me back to your table of grace.