On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces,
    and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
    for the LORD has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
    Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
    his is the LORD for whom we have waited;
    let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain
[Isaiah 25:6-10]    

The celebration of the first communion of several of the young people at Abiding Presence was a memorable experience last Sunday. The first communicants gathered around the Table with their families, making nearly a complete circle that was five rows deep in some spots. It was awkward getting everyone up there, and probably even more awkward trying to serve everyone! There were so many people that the bread had to be held up high in order to reach over the front rows of people to those in the back. I often think of the above sermon from Isaiah 25 during the Lord's Supper, but as I tore the bread and looked into the eyes of all those people around the crowded table, Isaiah's words were especially poignant.

The Lord will make a feast for all people...too many to count! I often find myself imagining all the people who have gone before us -- and all those who will come after us -- gathered at the table in that very moment, transcending all time and place to be gathered at the Lord's feast. But it took new meaning with the crowd last Sunday. Imagine looking out and seeing even more than five rows of people. Imagine looking out and seeing ALL people gathered at God's banquet!

And at that feast there will be no more tears, no more humiliation, no need to try to make excuses for ourselves, no more fear of inadequacy, no more fear of death. The Lord will "swallow up death forever." This feast is the celebration of the death of death! Death may seem to exercise power over our lives now, but not when the Lord is hosting the meal!

Welcome, first communicants! Welcome all!
Let us be glad and rejoice in God's salvation!

Almighty God, the eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. Amen

Contributed by Pastor Joel
Sunday May 7, 2006
Liturgical Year B Week 24