Tuesday August 4th, 2015 Mark 8:1-10
?and he took the seven loaves and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute? (verse 6)
Jesus once again feeds about 4000 people who have been following him for three days. Jesus has compassion on them, wanting to strengthen them for their journey home. He invites his disciples to take part in distributing this communal meal. This time the disciples put up no fuss. They already know what their ministry is: the ministry of communion. So they gather seven loaves and bring them to Jesus to be blessed along with some fish.
Though our communion practices may differ from congregation to congregation, all are invited to distribute what Jesus breaks and sheds for us. Jesus invites his disciples to be his communion ministers after he has given thanks and broken bread. In many congregations in which the population is aging, taking the already blessed bread and wine to the shut-ins incorporates them into our worship.
Are you called to the ministry of communion as assistants within the service or going into the world to visit the homebound or hospitalized? Jesus sent his disciples to distribute the bread broken for all. May you be strengthened by Christ for this ministry of feeding.
Empower us, O Lord, to discern our gifts and to share the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Amen. — RC
Contributed by Ministry of Communion
Jesus once again feeds about 4000 people who have been following him for three days. Jesus has compassion on them, wanting to strengthen them for their journey home. He invites his disciples to take part in distributing this communal meal. This time the disciples put up no fuss. They already know what their ministry is: the ministry of communion. So they gather seven loaves and bring them to Jesus to be blessed along with some fish.
Though our communion practices may differ from congregation to congregation, all are invited to distribute what Jesus breaks and sheds for us. Jesus invites his disciples to be his communion ministers after he has given thanks and broken bread. In many congregations in which the population is aging, taking the already blessed bread and wine to the shut-ins incorporates them into our worship.
Are you called to the ministry of communion as assistants within the service or going into the world to visit the homebound or hospitalized? Jesus sent his disciples to distribute the bread broken for all. May you be strengthened by Christ for this ministry of feeding.