For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:9

Dear Friends, 

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. The ubiquitous February 14th. Heart-shaped boxed candy and roses are its traditional hallmarks. Admittedly, I’m not much for personally celebrating this quasi-holiday. It often outright sneaks up on me. Still, I enjoy hearing stories of special dinners and romantic connections some enjoy. I like seeing all the store decorations and flowers and specialty foods in the grocery store. You’d think that would be the cue the holiday is approaching. Maybe I’ve become accustomed to a 6week-8week lead-in. Unlike Christmas, the retail lead-up time to Valentine’s Day is rather short. 

Most of all though, I like hearing the stories of kids anticipating and exchanging their classroom valentine cards at school. It reminds me of the days sitting at the kitchen table with my sons. We would open the box of little cards with their little sayings. My sons would scrawl their names somewhere on them and often attach a piece of candy or a little box of those conversation hearts. 

I never thought about it before, but that elementary school, Valentine’s Day ritual has a resonance with Holy Communion. My sons did not pick and choose who they gave cards to. We had the classroom roster. They made a card for everyone, regardless of the degree of friendship they shared. Some cards were easier to prepare than others. The exchange of cards gave them a chance to express to another their “like-ableness” even if my children didn’t find a classmate personally likable. 

I imagine that is what it is like to come and receive Holy Communion. The line of people gather together and move forward to receive and be filled with God’s presence, love, strength, pardon, solace, and renewal. We have different relationships with those we are in line with. Some we like. Some we don’t. Some we know. Some we don’t. It does not matter. We are in line and coming forward together.

Stepping forward together is rather like giving those little Valentine’s Day cards. Like the person in front or behind you or not. It does not matter. God does. And in that recognition, we make space in the line for all who have the courage to join the line. We join each other at the Table: an acknowledgment that despite our personal feelings, we are all likable to God, and worthy of that divine favor. 

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us that our working together has begun, even if in the nascent community formed by a line to God’s Table. May we then give thanks that we are God’s field, God’s building as we wonder what God might accomplish through us. It will be more than we could ask or imagine (or reimagine).

In Peace, Dina+