In my tradition, we receive communion every Sunday. Ok, sometimes more. One of the lingering Disciples jokes is that wherever two Disciples are gathered there will be three opinions and communion. At least we know how to laugh at ourselves.
We're also pretty low on the required liturgy. Some of us can out-Catholic the Catholics; others are appalled by anything resembling a formal liturgy. What does make its way into most every service, though, are the words of institution, usually the 1 Corinthian version that goes something like this: "For the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them saying, 'Take, eat. This is my body which is broken for you.' In the same way, when supper had ended, he took the cup also, and offered it to them saying, 'Take, drink. This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you do it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again.'"
Nope, I don't think that's any particular translation. It's probably a conflation of KJV and NRSV and NIV, since those are the three translations used by the churches in which I've participated. Regardless, there's still some clunkiness about the language, some things completely different than day to day speech.
A few weeks ago, it became clear that a 3 year old's request came from those words. When communion was offered, she said to her mother, "I want to take bread."
Not, "I want a snack," or "I want something to eat." My own cousins were upset when they were denied a snack during worship one Sunday many years ago. "I want a snack," is the response of any kid. "Take bread," is the response of a child formed by her faith community. "Take bread" is the response of a child who knows this is different from a snack, even though she couldn't begin to put words to how or why this is different. She knows it is.
At only 3 years old, she recognizes what the church calls sacrament, a sacred rite in which one encounters God. At only 3 years old, she knows this matters. And she wants to be a part of it.
Those five little words, "I want to take bread," are worth every time she ever ran in worship or spilled a drink in the sanctuary or walked in front of the preacher. Welcoming her as an infant, and a toddler, and now a 3 year old, means she's learned this church is her church. She's learned where her church encounters God and feels safe enough to ask to encounter God there, too.
Every day, I am more convinced that if we want 13 year olds in worship alongside everyone else, the church must also welcome 3 year olds in worship alongside everyone else. The 3 year old will learn what can't be taught; by the time she is 13 she can never forget it.
So, church, be ok with little ones' noise and disruption. Be ok with whatever they need in order to be included. For one day, that child will ask to take bread, too. Or at least something like it. And you'll realize that, somewhere in the midst of the noise and disruption, she saw Jesus. What more could you ask for her?
Not, "I want a snack," or "I want something to eat." My own cousins were upset when they were denied a snack during worship one Sunday many years ago. "I want a snack," is the response of any kid. "Take bread," is the response of a child formed by her faith community. "Take bread" is the response of a child who knows this is different from a snack, even though she couldn't begin to put words to how or why this is different. She knows it is.
At only 3 years old, she recognizes what the church calls sacrament, a sacred rite in which one encounters God. At only 3 years old, she knows this matters. And she wants to be a part of it.
Those five little words, "I want to take bread," are worth every time she ever ran in worship or spilled a drink in the sanctuary or walked in front of the preacher. Welcoming her as an infant, and a toddler, and now a 3 year old, means she's learned this church is her church. She's learned where her church encounters God and feels safe enough to ask to encounter God there, too.
Every day, I am more convinced that if we want 13 year olds in worship alongside everyone else, the church must also welcome 3 year olds in worship alongside everyone else. The 3 year old will learn what can't be taught; by the time she is 13 she can never forget it.
So, church, be ok with little ones' noise and disruption. Be ok with whatever they need in order to be included. For one day, that child will ask to take bread, too. Or at least something like it. And you'll realize that, somewhere in the midst of the noise and disruption, she saw Jesus. What more could you ask for her?
Thank you for speaking this truth! My daughter, aged 3, participates in communion every week also. I knew she was ready when she looked around and said she wanted the bread and juice too. I am thankful for our church that welcomes the kids, no matter how loud or unruly they can be.
ReplyDeleteI did teach her the Lord's Prayer and she thinks she is big stuff saying it with everyone else on Sundays. As a result, she must recite it at the end of every mommy/daughter prayer.