Time to have "Holy Commuinion"

                  The Biggest Communion with Jesus

05.05.24

Hodgdon UMC

<General Conference 2020>
What time is it? You might say it's 9:00 a.m., but I'd suggest it's Jesus's time, signaling the approaching end of the world and His imminent return. When we hear news about disasters, climate change, false prophets, and war, we can't help but feel that time is running out.
What time is it? It's time to pray. Especially for our denomination, which is in great need of prayer. Recently, we concluded the General Conference, which spanned the last 12 days from April 23 to May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The General Conference is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the denomination and updating the Book of Discipline.

 

Victor's email provided a recap of the recent General Conference. The budget was significantly reduced by 40% due to the reality of disaffiliation within the denomination. This resulted in the lowest proposed denomination-wide budget for the United Methodist Church in 40 years. Additionally, the Eurasian conference left the United Methodist Church to form the Christian Methodist Church, similar to the structure of the Global church in the USA.
Furthermore, decisions were made to ensure that different geographic regions have equal standing in decision-making processes. However, due to financial constraints, only two additional bishops will be added in areas where the church is growing, instead of the initially proposed five.

 

On a legislative note, petitions regarding increased voting rights for licensed local pastors and a guaranteed seat at annual conferences for retired deaconesses and home missioners were not approved.
Due to the disaffiliation of over 25% of U.S. UM congregations, there has been a significant reduction in the number of conservative/traditionalist delegates. Furthermore, more than 20% of the delegates from Africa, who typically represent a more conservative/traditionalist viewpoint, were unable to obtain visas to attend the conference. The delayed issuance of their invitation letters impacted their ability to secure visas, resulting in the absence of approximately 75 African delegates. As a result, the representation of traditionalist voices and votes could have been much better in committee decisions.

 

During the General Conference, a vote of 523 to 161, following about an hour and a half of debate, resulted in the elimination of the 52-year-old assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Simultaneously, delegates affirmed “marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith (an adult man and an adult woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into a union with one another and a deeper relationship with God and the religious community.” 

 

Many people celebrate UMC’s new stance, but some who hold a different view on human sexuality were hurt and disappointed. I am saddened to think about our denominations. We have a rich heritage, traditions, and history. Looking at our logo with two flames, the Evangelical Brethren Church and the Methodist Church merged in 1968, forming the United Methodist Church. However, we now find ourselves divided again, with the creation of the Global Christian Church. We appear to be a sinking ship. When I contemplate local churches, especially ours, I feel agony. It's as if we are facing the Red Sea and the walls of Jericho. While grappling with this issue, God directed me to today’s scripture. May He give us His words to guide us through each day, step by step.
 

<Compassion>
There are four Gospels, and each one focuses a little differently. However, there are two events written in all four gospels: one is the Resurrection and the other is the feeding of the 5,000. This event holds significant meaning.
The story begins with sad news. When Jesus heard that John the Baptist was martyred by King Herod, he wanted to be alone. In Matthew 14:13, it says, “Now when Jesus heard these, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it they followed him on foot from the towns.”

 

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by disappointing news and wanted to be alone recently? What if many people around you don't let you have that alone time? How would you respond to that kind of situation? While we are raising our children, we often face this situation. My heart was heavy during the last few weeks with disappointing news. I'm still dealing with my thyroid function and I'm looking at another surgery for a cyst in the adrenal gland. My iron levels were not enough for surgery, so I needed to get iron infusions. When I saw the several medicines and the LAB Works I needed, I felt like I was a mess. Our churches are dealing with human sexuality issues. In the last few years, we lost several of our beloved church families and leaders. We are grieving, mourning, and missing them. We feel our denomination looks like a mess. When I thought of all this sad news, my default mode was to have quiet time alone to deal with all these tensions. However, my life didn't allow me to be alone. Many responsibilities of church and family were waiting for me. How can we deal with this situation? Jesus sets a good example in verse 14. “When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.” Compassion is the key to overcoming overwhelming situations. Thankfully, we can see good role models in our churches as Jesus sets big examples. Even though you are tired, busy with doctor appointments, and taking care of others, someone gives a ride to those who need company, someone bakes cookies to deliver to others, and someone helps with church yard sales. Compassion is the key to starting a wonderful miracle.

 

<Five Loaves and Two Fishes>
In Matthew 14:15, when it was evening, the disciples came to Jesus and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." They followed Jesus, and over 5,000 people were in the desert without food. In verse 16, Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." Jesus tested the disciples, and they were overwhelmed. In verse 17, they replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." They didn't give up; even though it was very small, they brought what they had to Jesus. Five Loaves and Two Fishes were just enough for a little boy's lunch; however, this first step was crucially needed for a wonderful miracle.
I love this story; it is one of my calling stories. When I was in Summit to figure out my call in 2015, Jesus called me, "Would you give me your five loaves and two fishes?" When I heard this inner voice, I cried a lot. I felt I was not qualified to become a minister due to language barriers and cultural barriers. However, Jesus promised he would use my little gifts and my sincere heart toward God and his people. Every Sunday morning, I repeat this conversation with God. "Lord, I can't deliver your message," and He says, "Just give me your five loaves and two fishes." Especially today, it is one of the hardest moments to deliver a message. However, here I am.

 

While we are living in a mess, in an overwhelming situation, we can easily say, "Lord, this is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; we have nothing here." However, if we have a little boy's faith to bring Five Loaves and Two Fishes, God will use them for His miracle.
Jesus ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and he took the Five Loaves and Two Fishes. He looked up to heaven, blessed, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples. In John, it is written that he gave thanks. In the middle of an overwhelming situation, Jesus gave thanks. How could Jesus give thanks in this hopeless circumstance? Gratitude changes this story. Gratitude fixes our eyes not on the five loaves and two fishes in our hand, but on God.

 

After giving thanks, Jesus gave the Five Loaves and Two Fishes to the disciples. The disciples gave to the crowds; the disciples just followed their master's direction, and the crowds just received, ate, and were filled. There were even leftovers, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

 

<Bread of Life>
This scene parallels the experience of their ancestors in the desert of Egypt. The Israelites were hungry and unable to find food in the desert, but God provided them with Manna through Moses. They remembered this story and anticipated a Messiah who would be like Moses, as promised by God. Through this miracle, they discovered that Jesus was indeed the Messiah they had long awaited.
This event represents the largest communion on earth with Jesus. Five thousand men, in addition to women and children, shared a meal with Jesus—a tradition akin to a family gathering, where Jesus welcomed all as part of his family. 

 

Initially, the people were excited by this miracle, believing Jesus to be the Messiah who would liberate them from Roman oppression. However, Jesus promptly instructed his disciples to board a boat and dismissed the crowds. He then went up the mountain alone to pray. Subsequently, Jesus walked on water, demonstrating another miracle. Yet, the people quickly forgot the miracle of the loaves and became terrified when they saw Jesus walking on water. Mark describes their reaction, noting that although they witnessed the miracle, their hearts remained hardened. This tendency to forget miracles and revert to feelings of worry, fear, and terror is all too familiar.
The next day, the crowd gathered again and asked Jesus for a sign to believe in him. This mirrors our own behavior; despite witnessing numerous miracles in our lives, we still struggle with fear and doubt.

 

Jesus responded to the crowd, affirming that it was not Moses who provided the bread from heaven, but rather his Father who gave the true bread from heaven. He declared himself as the bread of life, promising that whoever comes to him will never hunger or thirst spiritually. He offered his life to us, inviting us to partake in Holy communion with him and within him.

       <Time to Have "Holy Communion> 

Holy Communion is a sacred practice through which God engages with us, operates within us, and sustains us with His grace. I deeply value the diverse names given to this sacred meal, each carrying its own significance. The sacrament serves as a testament to God's enduring presence in our lives, an ordinance reminding us of our obedience to Jesus' command to remember him, the Eucharist symbolizing gratitude, the Lord's Supper highlighting Jesus Christ as our gracious host, and us as integral parts of the larger body of Christ, focusing on salvation. Moreover, Holy Communion underscores the importance of both our communion with God and with each other, emphasizing the relational aspect.
Our churches have experienced numerous miracles, witnessing them in every facet of our lives, during every season. Now is the opportune time to partake in Holy Communion. Lord, may this act serve to renew and strengthen our relationship with You and with one another!