I had a profound worship experience on Sunday. I was able to experience Holy Communion from a different perspective. It happened that during our worship, I was seated next to a friend who is quadriplegic. When time came for us to eat the bread and drink from the cup, I realized that he needed assistance. He does not have full use of his hands. When we ate the bread, I took his wafer and put it in his mouth. Then I put the cup to his mouth while he drank. Our tradition is for each person to handle their own elements, which I think works theologically and symbolically. We each have access to Christ and therefore to the Father. The thought that someone couldn’t help themselves to communion was a bit startling, from a philosophical point of view. I was humbled and touched to be able to share this time of worship with a friend. I was also moved to remember that none of us can gain access to a relationship with God by ourselves. I was also a bit ticked at those of us who are sometimes too tired to stand in the presence of God. My friend who is confined to a wheelchair would give everything he owns to stand in worship to God.

This experience is the best thing that happened to me this weekend. It’s been with me all week.