Communion

Its true... when we are under pressure we present our true colours.

Give us a small or big squeeze and we will produce something that had previously been hidden inside us, like for instance the cherry that I stood on in my kitchen the other morning. After it received the pressure of my body weight, it flattened and produced juice... or should I say projectiled juice all over the floor.

Every once and awhile when the 'pressure' arrives (and maybe it's more often than 'awhile') we have the opportunity to respond. And I'm sure that as you look back over your responses, like me, you will see moments when something ugly popped its little head up.
You see it is easy to claim, act or behave like a Christian when things are easy.
BUT what about when its tough?

Imagine the worst thing happening to you right now... imagine your response...
Is your faith and love for God affected? Do you projectile hate and anger onto God, and do you forsake your christian life?
What if you were asked to do something that you definitely did not want to do. But knew it was necessary?
Would you kick and scream, hoping to argue your way out?

Let's look at the cross.

Christ in His most painful moment. Under the 'pressure' to save humankind.

...and what does He do???

We see Him; healing a man who just had his ear cut off, taking care of his mother and family, witnessing to the criminal dying next to him and of course...
Providing our salvation.

So I ask,
Under pressure what kind of selfless actions do you display?
Under pressure what kind of salvation do you bring?
and Under Pressure what kind of witness are you?

We have this example set for us by Jesus and every time we join together in Communion we are taking part in His life.
It's easy for us sometimes to accept and receive forgiveness from His Blood, represented by the grape juice. But in eating the body, the bread, we can forget that we are accepting His life.
Saying that we too will live like Christ and under pressure choose to ooze out Love.

Think about that next time you take Communion and any time you're put under any kind of pressure.

Lk