When six disciples decided to join Peter after Jesus’ resurrection and go fishing for lack of anything else to do, they were met by Jesus the next morning on the beach. Their boat was empty of fish and they had headed back to shore when Jesus, standing on the beach, asked if they had any fish. When they said “no,” he told them to cast on the right side of the boat, and they made a great haul of a hundred and fifty-three fish. Jesus asked them to bring some to him on the beach where he had a fire and bread, and some fish already. (John 21: 1-14) In this transaction Jesus supplied food for his disciples and asked them to supply food for him that he had given them: Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught. . . Come and have breakfast!” (John 21: 10 & 12). Jesus gave the catch of fish to the disciples, and then asked them to give it to him. Together they ate food he had brought, and food they had caught.

Sometimes it feels as if Jesus might be playing games with the disciples, but he is not. The encounter on the beach was vital to Jesus’ relationship with these seven disciples. And was part of Jesus’ formation of his future church. It was there that Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved him. Finally, Peter replied, “You know everything, Lord. You know that I love you.” (John 21:15-17) Far from a game, Jesus was planting forgiveness and renewal in the spirit of Peter after Peter had denied he knew Jesus three times.

Today we stand at the altar and eat a piece of bread and drink a cup of wine or grape juice to affirm what Jesus gave to his disciples; but even more to share the intersection of human and divine life with Jesus. When Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me,” he made the communion a covenant between us and him. (Mark 14:22-24) This is the closeness that he shared with his disciples as he told them that it was his own body and blood that they shared. The communion is more than a memorial to Jesus. For the rest of their lives the disciples could commune with Jesus through the new covenant. The churches of today renew this covenant regularly and experience Christ’s words as spoken to each one. The communion is an enduring link between a holy God and His much loved people. He desires it more even that we do. The communion is more than a memorial to Jesus; it is a reunion of our spirits.

Love in Him,

Prue