Tales from the Other Side of the Rail

Pastors see many things during services - not everything - but just about. Some of my favorite moments (if I may use such a phrase) that I have witnessed during the Divine Service always tend to revolve around the administration of the Sacraments. Bad, boring and brutal meetings seem to have a way of vanishing from your memory during the distribution of Christ's body and blood. I call it blessed amnesia. So here's a few things I saw today from my side of the communion rail.

I saw a man great in years weep with the joy of Simeon as he held the Christ and received the Sacrament.

I saw a slumbering nine month old baby receive a blessing with the same Name that blessed Abraham with the covenant as he slept through it all.

I saw a family of multiple generations kneel together at the Table of the Lord who is faithful to all generations.

I saw a young woman broken by a recent car accident receive the medicine of immortality, as Jesus bound her wounds in His body and blood.

I saw a woman mourning the death of a close friend proclaim the death of Christ even as He came to her in the Eucharist, where we on earth worship at the Lamb's high feast with those who are dead in Christ.

I saw young and old - sinners made saints - singing Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord even as the Lord made his triumphal entry riding upon the bread and wine.

I saw sinners forgiven. We rejoiced with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven. All because Jesus was there for us an with us.

I saw Jesus today. He was right where He promised to be all along.

What did you see?