I don’t know if this is the epitome of modernism or the proof that postmodernism is in full swing. Today I received in the mail perhaps the most ridiculous item ever. I mean, I can handle almost anything in the way of convenience. Years ago I had a church treasurer refuse to buy me a baptismal robe and waders until I convinced him that it would make it convenient for us to do baptisms in the middle of a worship service. He reluctantly agreed.
But this is over the top. Tell me, is it modernism run amuck or postmodernism getting a firmer foothold. The item: It is a prepackaged communion set. It comes in just the right size to fit in our service trays. There is a little cellophane tab that you pull up and the wafer is exposed. Then you pull the foil top and the grape juice is ready to drink.
The advertising says they will last without refrigeration for 12 months. They will be less expensive because there is less waste. No preparation time or clean up time is involved for the deacons/ communion committee. They are packaged and sealed for purity. I mean, haven’t we already sanitized our faith enough? And of course it would save time because the servers would only have to make one pass, you get the bread and cup at one time.
I can think of a couple of other ways we could use them. We wouldn’t need as many Deacons present for a service as they wouldn’t have to be hand passed, they could literally be passed out. If someone dropped one they wouldn’t spill. They are sealed.
If the service ran long, those who don’t have more than an hour to spare for worship could leave early and just pick up a pack on the way out and observe at the first stop light. The scripture is printed right on top of the cellophane so you could read it out loud to yourself as you opened the tab.
We might need to change some of the words. “This is my body, pre packaged for you.” Doesn’t that sound more sanitized than broken?
I am sure my postmodern friends and children will accuse us moderns of this abomination. I don’t know though. There has to be a reason it didn’t find its way to market until 2006.
Please pray with me that the Communion Packaging Company of Sanford, Florida will be short lived.
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3 comments:
Rodger,
It came at the right time now that Chuck isn't a Deac- we don't need someone to prepare just grabe it to go....Rob
hey rodger...i am at the age of remembering doing math the hard way because there was no such thing as the el cheapo calculator for grade school...and now not having to do math at all and let quicken or whatever do it...i appreciate and complain every time i use a simplification tool....but...
i have; however, not lost the sense of sacrifice (or work) that is required in an act of service....
among my goals is to become a deacon so i may be humbled and honored to prepare and pass the sacrament...i am sure the first time i do it..i might just break down & cry as i recollect seens from mel gibsons movie The Passion...i would be prepairing the remberence of His body and blood that was sacrarificed for our sins (for my sins)....how dare anyone think that they could simplify that experience away from me...if it were 10 or 1,000 cups to prepare i would cherish every cup....
just because an idea is well intentioned...does not make it a good idea..i too hope the idea does not catch on..but if they could figure out a way to package good airplane food..now that would be something.....
thanks..preston
Very sad indeed Rodger. Thanks for the info. Great Blog and Congrates Champ. Talk to you soon..Brad
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