Yesterday was World Communion Sunday. When I entered the sanctuary of the church I have been attending, the Table (at least it was on the platform, centered between a pulpit and a lectern) had a world map propped up across its front and small placards on the top, each bearing the name of one of the globe's continents. I guess geopolitical notation must have something to do with World Communion Sunday, but for the life of me, I don't know what that might be.
Do you know what the perfect, the ultimate symbol for World Communion Sunday might be? It is a bare table with the Body and Blood of Christ occupying its surface all by themselves. Anything else takes away from the significance of the day. A table with the elements reposing on it is free of distraction, devoid of indecipherable symbols and totally lacking in paraphernalia that needs interpretation in order to be comprehended. What's the Table for? Communion. Where is it situated? in a church. For whom is the church and its sacraments intended? The Body of Christ -- all of the children of God. How does one enhance the significance of such? It can't be done.
Bad worship symbolism is somewhere between confusion and heresy. It's no wonder that United Methodists (yes, this table was in a UMC sanctuary) have so much trouble with their identity or with establishing what it means to be a part of the UMC in the twenty-first century.
I believe that a lot of the Table-related "stuff" I have discussed recently is a result of poor thinking -- or no thinking. We get back to the "appointments" versus "decorations" controversy. I would have hoped we were past that by now.
I'll be honest with you, a Communion Table with a placard on it that says "Antarctica" befuddles the life out of me, World Communion Sunday or no.
I just don't get it.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
