Pastor's Column

I often wonder what those outside our faith make of some of the worship practices that we all
take for granted. Especially in these days of Lent, with extra services around the culmination of
Jesus’ life and ministry, there are certainly things to wonder about.

Take, eat, this is my body.
Take, drink, this is my blood.
And they took him out and crucified him.
` He is not here, he is risen, just as he said!
And these are but a few that take more than an elevator speech to explain to someone new to Christian life and practice.

It’s often been said that Lutherans are not the greatest at witnessing to our faith. We have it, but we often find it difficult to talk about it, or to share it. You could find yourself on the receiving end of questions about this sacred season and its practices. Co-workers, family members, grandchildren, and others in your life may be curious about what we do, and why we do it. And often, we are tongue-tied to respond. It is, after all, pretty complicated.

But here’s a Lenten practice that could be both inspirational in your own reflection and informative to those around you who are not familiar with all that we say and do. Instead of fretting that you can’t explain theologically what holy communion means in our tradition, why not say instead what its weekly practice means to you. This is at least a great starting point, and will probably land a whole lot more meaningfully on those who are asking than a complicated theological explanation about how bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, to cite just one example.

I find that taking communion reassures me that Jesus is with me. Or, Sharing the story of Jesus’ final days and hours with my community of faith is comforting to me.

These will go a long way in providing an invitation to others who may be looking for comfort or reassurance in their own lives. Perhaps they won’t immediately begin to worship at all our Lenten and Holy Week services. But at some point in their lives, when they are in need of a word of hope, your straight-forward witness of what this means to you might bring them back to you, or to a place where they can find such comfort and meaning for themselves. Growing and changing in our own understanding of these precious stories and truths of our faith is a wonderful opportunity for us, from our baptism until our death. Sharing that with others can be a great opportunity to open a door to the faith we cherish, and welcome them to these mysteries of faith.