My Dear Doubters of Great Faith,
This week I had conversation with a friend about what Episcopalians believe (scary thought!) regarding the presence of Jesus Christ in communion. Of course, we believe in Christ’s “real presence” in the elements, bread and wine, but what does that really mean? Are these things transformed, in some way, because of the words that a priest breathes over them? Our Articles of Religion, the basic footprint of Anglicanism, while not clear what “real presence” is, is definitive about what it is not – transubstantiation. The beauty is in the mystery! O magnum mysterium.
She knows that Christ is there; she can feel his imprint. This outward, visible sign of an inward, spiritual grace. If Christ falls to the floor in distribution, she quickly bends to pick him up, and consumes. Christ IS there.
Presence, real presence is this glorious mystery of words and Word (Logos), of spirit and spiration that come together in holy moments to form sacrament!
As far as I know, sacrament does not happen in isolation, in isolated moments by ourselves, rather in broad swaths of time “spirated” together by the Body of Christ, you and me. Those “spiratable” moments are what we so long for now, in the midst of COVID-19, the virus that says we must not breathe together, upon, within, around each other.
And that is why I find our 2021 stewardship campaign a stroke of inspiration! Imagine, a campaign named “Breathe!” What is it about mysterious breath, Holy Spirit, that is positively sacramental, continually life-giving, life-affirming?
Breath carries us through the transitions of life and deposits us safely into the arms of our waiting God. It is as natural as breathing in, and breathing out. If we are here, we all do it.
The Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle continues to breathe life into the community in which it finds itself. This weekend, we will celebrate with gratitude our very breath with the culmination of the “Breathe” campaign by elevating and blessing the commitment cards before God during the offering. I hope and pray that you will take this opportunity to add your breath to the Body of Christ that continues to exist in this place.
Sacrament is not sacrament without each of us. We are all together this beautiful “real presence” called The Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle!
O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum!
Yours faithfully,
Fr. Christopher+
