Both World Communion Sunday and the lectionary scriptures during the summer of Year B intimidate me as a Disciples of Christ preacher. Can I capture the reverence and significance of our holy sacrament with my words? Will I adequately describe this ritual that shapes our tradition and, in many ways, defines our theology?

For a decade, I’ve stumbled and fumbled through sermons about communion, trying desperately to communicate to my congregation that this bread and this cup are meant to remind us all of God. One year, a pastoral care visit revealed the transformative power of communion.

One afternoon in the midst of a politically divisive time in our local community, I brought communion to Ted and Barb in their living room. Weeks before, 83-year-old Ted heroically tumbled in the parking lot of their favorite Italian restaurant while trying to prevent Barb from falling. A true knight in shining armor to his longtime love. He broke his neck in this gesture. He now wore a neck brace 24/7 and the fall aged him. They hadn’t been to church since it happened. We visited for an hour.

Ted spouted provocative political beliefs and dared me to respond. Our nation is turning against Christ, there is an assault on religious people, we are being persecuted, he said. I wondered if he wanted me to react, to refute, or challenge his convictions. I didn’t.

Then, we shared communion. I said what I always say. I distributed the tiny plastic and cellophane topped elements, I spoke the words from 1 Corinthians that I could recite in my sleep: On the night that Jesus was betrayed… we all partook together.

I asked if we could stand in a circle, hold hands, and say the Lord’s Prayer. When we got to Hollowed be thy name, Ted’s voice cracked. I peeked and saw the tears. He was weeping – really weeping – lines down his face, dripping into the carpet. It never stopped. He couldn’t stop. By Amen, it was nearly a howl in his throat.

And this moment became the church incarnate. That was it. Right there. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven said in a tiny circle where two or three gathered in Ted’s living room? Tears falling and the overwhelming presence of God with sacrament?

Something shifted. Something real happened. Something transformed. It has to happen a million and one times, again and again. But it will. It does. It did. Since that visit, I now understand that communion is the gospel. Communion is the good news. Communion is God. Amen.

Published in the August 2023 issue of For the Messengers

Rev. Sara Taylor Peck is in her 10th year as senior minister of Community Christian Church in North Canton, OH. She graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 2007 and is finishing her Doctorate of Ministry at Duke Divinity School. In addition to her congregational role, she serves as a Peer Leader in the national Excellence in Ministry program and as a research associate for the Kettering Foundation.