A SUPPER OF LOVE

 

Because the Saviour instituted the Sacrament following the Last Supper, the early members of the Church maintained a practice of having a meal together followed by the Sacrament. Paul advised the Corinthians against this practice, however, as the meals were sometimes consumed before all the saints arrived, resulting in discord among them (1 Corinthians 11:17-22).

This was contrary to the culture of the Near East where dining together was an expression of unity, peace and friendship. It was during a meal together that any problems and disagreements were resolved and all parties were reconciled.  Paul referred to the sacrament as ‘communion’ not just between individuals and Christ but also between fellow saints (1 Corinthians 10:17).

Since we collectively, by baptism, become the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and since the sacrament is a renewal of our baptismal covenants, each time we partake of the sacrament, we affirm our communion with one another and with the Saviour, and thus become one. The Sacrament, therefore, becomes ‘a meal’ of unity, peace and friendship.  So united, we enjoy greater communion with Him who has brought us together by virtue of His sacrifice. (See the New Testament Institute Manual for above scripture references and their explanations)

In John's account of the Last Supper in chapters 13-15 Jesus used the word 'love' 20 times in 14 verses. This made it clear indeed that what He was about to do for them through His infinite sacrifice was a token of love and should be a token of love forever more. Then the admonition to all who would accept that love through the emblems of the sacrament: "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12); "...this do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19).

Jesus predicted that in our day people will not keep the commandments and because 'iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold' (Matt 24:12). His discourse on love in relation to the sacrament should be something we as the saints of latter-days seriously think about because of our responsibility to become a Zion people. 

I had always considered the Sacrament a very individual and personal ordinance between me and the Lord. The greatest spiritual connection I have felt with the Saviour was during the pandemic lockdowns when I was fortunate enough to sit at my daughter’s kitchen table and partake of the sacrament with her, her husband and my grandchildren. Each time, my emotions would surge to the point of tears.

I was reminded of the very first Sacrament where the Saviour sat at just such an ordinary table and blessed the emblems of His sacrifice. As my son-in-law passed the sacrament to me on the kitchen plate I came to know what it means to ‘eat His body’ as I have eaten off that kitchen plate before.

I didn’t fully understand it at the time but upon reflection I came to understand that the greatest reason my emotions surged was the unity I felt with those I love during my most sacred moment when I felt united in spirit with Christ. This is the power of the Sacrament….to unite us through His sacrifice with a bond that can never be broken. This is what is meant to be the body of Christ.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: In Remembrance by Brent Borup)

THE LORD'S BELOVED

 

 

Have you ever wished to have a title added to your name that would describe your relationship with God? Abraham had 'a friend of God' attached to his name. What spiritual title would you like to be known by?  Sally, the disciple of Christ? Mary, the seeker of truth? Richard, the upholder of faith? Simon, the warrior of God?

My favourite person from the four Gospels in the New Testament is John, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved', as he referred to himself in his book. Jesus called him 'the son of thunder' (Mark 3:17) but he was and is best known as John The Beloved. I have a desire to meet John The Beloved because I think I could more intensely feel the Saviour's love just by simply being in his presence. 

When I refer to John I simply refer to him as The Beloved. I am in awe of his name. Imagine having “The Beloved”  tagged onto your name because it is so obvious to everyone that the Saviour loves you so much. This is the title that I want.

If you study John’s writing, it is impossible not to see the love. In his book, The Beloved records of the discourse on love that Jesus delivered at the Last Supper.  His account of this discourse is related to the Sacrament and our remembrance of the Saviour and mentions love 22 times.

John records the Saviour giving an amazing promise to all who are motivated through their love for Him to obey His commandments. The promise is that they can enjoy the literal companionship of the Father and the Son in this life (John 14:23). This is an amazing promise.

None of the other gospels record this discourse on love or such an important promise, only John; the disciple who outran Peter to the sepulchre with a pounding heart hoping against hope that the rumours were true, that He whom He loved, lived again (John 20:2-4).

Doctrine and Covenants Section 7 gives a clear picture of the love between John and the Saviour. In His communication with John and Peter, the Saviour asked: “John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you. And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto you”  (D&C 7:1,2).  That’s love. There is no greater.

Some 90 years after Christ’s death, during the bleakest period of Church history, John sat on the island of Patmos, alone, an exiled last apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ; Peter having been crucified, Paul beheaded, Bartholemew skinned alive, Thomas and Matthew run through with spears. By the time of Patmos, the history of the Church included the lining of Nero's colonnade with crucified Christians and the savagery of the mobs screaming for blood in the Coliseum and the Circus Maximus." (The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, p 449).

Something magical happened to John at Patmos. One Sabbath day the Saviour appeared to him and revealed to him all that will happen on earth until He returns. It was as if the Saviour was saying to him: "You will be here a long time and you will sorrow for the sins of the world, but be comforted John because I am coming back and when I come, I will 'wipe away all tears....and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain...." (Revelation 21:4).

At the Church Conference in June 1831, Joseph prophesied that John was then among the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, “to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion, to again possess the land of their fathers” (in History of the Church, 1:176). He who lives and sorrows for the sins of the world will have some stories to tell…..

 

I long to see the paths he wanders

To and fro the length of the earth;

I wish to wipe his brow

At the end of the day

To uphold the magnitude of his holy work.

Let me hold him close

And soothe his heavy heart

As the time for final gathering nears,

And let me gather in my cupped hands

The hallowed drops of The Beloved’s tears.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Hope by Liz Lemon Swindle)