tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3326792094287325881.post8356407165686175588..comments2023-10-20T07:44:46.583-05:00Comments on a long way from home: Bread of LifeEvan D. Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395940526434441825noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3326792094287325881.post-40568695710906325382015-08-03T08:15:21.974-05:002015-08-03T08:15:21.974-05:00Thanks so much Evan, I agree.
I appreciate you an...Thanks so much Evan, I agree.<br /><br />I appreciate you and your ministry.<br />MalcolmMalcolm Lewis Marlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12150413747695669421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3326792094287325881.post-15081069640852474662015-08-03T07:52:30.065-05:002015-08-03T07:52:30.065-05:00Malcolm, thanks for your comment and your complime...Malcolm, thanks for your comment and your compliment. I'm thrilled that the blog is a helpful ministry for you, too. <br /><br />I don't know if it will make a difference, but I wouldn't equate "recognize" with "understand." Even the toddler who comes to the rail to receive Communion should recognize that this is something more that just a snack. It's time with Jesus. It's time to know that God loves us. No one--regardless of age--needs to fully comprehend the soul-satisfying offering of Christ, but all of us--regardless of age--should come seeking spiritual nourishment rather than physical nourishment. As the parent of some of those young children who regularly receive Communion, I don't ask them to be theologically sophisticated, but I do describe the bread and wine as a chance to experience Jesus' presence and know his love. Again, I'm not sure that's scratching your itch, but I didn't mean to suggest there is an intellectual or theological threshold that must be met before receiving Communion--just a spiritual recognition that points to something bigger. Thanks again!Evan D. Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05395940526434441825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3326792094287325881.post-72982694882559448322015-08-01T19:42:54.944-05:002015-08-01T19:42:54.944-05:00Evan, thank you as always for thoughtful reflectio...Evan, thank you as always for thoughtful reflection on scripture. You are one of many resources I turn to and read when preparing my sermons. Regarding your next to last paragraph I am a little confused.<br /><br />You say, " In order to partake in that bread, we must recognize what is being given to us—not merely a morsel to fill our stomachs but a bounty to satisfy the longing of our souls." <br /><br />And yet baptized toddlers come to the rail with their hands held out with their parents, and we give the bread to them, do we not? I do. We don't expect them to understand at that age about "a bounty to satisfy the longing of their souls?" <br /><br />I agree in offering this Bread of Life to them, because I believe the Eucharist is a mystery of grace that we try to understand for the rest of our lives, and maybe never fully so.<br /><br />Anyway, just my two cents worth. The older I get, erring more on the side of grace seems more important to me than ever before. I want to offer it to all and pray that somehow the Spirit works in their lives.<br /><br />Thank you for this writing ministry that reaches people far and wide. I am proud to serve with you in the Episcopal Church.<br /><br />Malcolm Marler<br /><br />Malcolm Lewis Marlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12150413747695669421noreply@blogger.com