It's interesting, during this season when we ponder God coming to us in such a state of utter vulnerability, that washing and feeding -- the same things that we do for the youngest and most helpless among us -- are the ways in which we experience God's sacramental presence in the most powerful way.
And how interesting that throughout history the Church has tended to place barriers before people seeking these sacraments -- insisting that baptismal candidates (or their parents) or communicants demonstrate a certain level of "understanding" or merit before the sacraments are administered."Bathe me"; "feed me"; the primal needs of the helpless. The God we believe in, teach and confess once came to us as one just as helpless. So just as a mother or father freely give these gifts to their children out of love for them, the Church might re-envision its role in administering the sacraments with a mind to the mothering, fathering God who has given them to us as acts conveying God's love and care.
3 comments:
LC--Indeed well said, and one of the most unique and cogent theological reasonings I have seen on these topics.
I agree--great food for thought.
I'm a little late here, but Oh, yes. You've got it. And since I'm preaching Jesus' baptism this Sunday, and always looking for an opportunity to talk about Communion as well...well, you see where I'm going with this! I love your images of the Mother/Father God caring for us as infants...
Wonderful images!
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