• "Requirements for Receiving Communion"
• Sermon for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
• July 18, 2004
• The Reverend Stephen C. Scarlett

The liturgy sets forth certain requirements for receiving communion. We must "truly and earnestly repent of our sins." We must "be in love and charity with our neighbors." And we must "intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God."

This is based on 1 Corinthians 11, where St. Paul discusses the danger of receiving the sacrament "in an unworthy manner." He says, "Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup" (11:28). But the part about being in love and charity with our neighbor echoes the teaching of Jesus in today's gospel: "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-4, NKJ).

When we examine ourselves, most of us are inclined to think first about sins against God. Our neighbor may get a secondary and cursory consideration. However, there is an inseparable connection between the two. As St. John says, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:20).

The connection between God and neighbor is based on the theology of creation and baptism. Genesis teaches us that man is made in the image of God (1:27). The New Testament teaches us that in baptism we are recreated in the image of Christ-a point of theology that Jesus expressed in the sobering words of Matthew 25:40, "...inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to me." What we do to the image of God and Christ, we do as if to God and Christ.

Thus, the idea that my worship of God can somehow be separated from my behavior towards other people is a grave error-we might go so far as to call it a heresy. One's love for God must be reflected in love for those who are made and remade in God's image or one's love for God is false.

Jesus' teaching about reconciliation, in today's gospel, is a commentary on the sixth commandment against murder. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said...You shall not murder...But I say that whoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment." Moreover, calling someone "raca"-Aramaic for "idiot," or "fool"-leaves one in danger of judgment and hell.

The equating of anger with murder is aimed at those who justify themselves by outward behavior but do not look at inner motives. A person might say, "I have obeyed the commandment against murder because I have never unlawfully taken the life of another." To which Jesus says, "Not so fast! The bitterness, resentment and malice that you bear in your heart towards another makes you guilty of murder in your heart."

For our righteousness to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, we must not be content merely with behavior that is outwardly righteous. We must also be concerned with our inner motives. We must not only forebear from harming another. We must also think and act for the good of others. As St. Paul says, "Love in the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10).

Now, the requirement that we be in love and charity with our neighbors presents significant challenges. It is much easier to confess sins directly to God than to another person. God is usually invisible to us and he does not usually respond immediately. But our neighbor is a flesh-and-blood person towards whom we sometimes have mixed emotions-sometimes the emotions are not mixed at all! Our neighbor may respond immediately and we may not like the response.

Reconciliation can be complex. If I inadvertently offended someone by an act of omission or commission, it is a simple thing to recognize it, say I'm sorry, have the apology accepted and move on. But sometimes the animosity is more deeply rooted. Sometimes the offense is perceived but not real. Some people are emotionally troubled, quick to take offense and slow to forgive wrongs.

Sometimes two parties have jointly offended each other but only one party is willing to admit it. Sometimes love demands that we confront a wrong behavior and few are anxious to do that. Sometimes we reach an impasse. Based on situations and personalities, we just don't know what to do to effect reconciliation-or even mere civility.

Because loving our neighbor in real ways presents such challenges, there is a real attractiveness to the TV church and the church I can attend while remaining anonymous. How great it is to be able to connect with God without having to be troubled by all of these messy people!

But such a religion bears no resemblance to real Christianity. We will be saved for all eternity as a community, the Communion of the Saints. Whatever differences exist among the brethren that are not worked out in time will be worked out on the Day of Resurrection. True and full communion with God in Christ will require full and true reconciliation with every member of Christ's body.

It is God's will for us to work towards true reconciliation in time so that our communion now reflects the ideal of the kingdom that is coming. Thus, it is God's will that we fully engage the messy business of loving people, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. We grow in sanctity as we pray and do good for those we are not disposed to like. We mature as we learn not to respond in kind to petty slights. We become holy as we learn to repay the evil with the good. We love as God loves as we learn to forebear and suffer long with difficult people.

It would be nice if we could give two or three rules to apply to all interpersonal tensions. But reconciliation comes not so much by rules as by prayer and the Holy Spirit. We need to pray and reflect deeply on what the Holy Spirit would have us do for the good of those with whom we have tensions. If we pray, with sincerity of heart, the Holy Spirit will not let us settle for smug self-justification. The Holy Spirit will show us the path of love.

And if we ask, Why should we go to such lengths to reconcile with others, as unlovable and difficult as they are? We will find the answer at the altar. Jesus goes to great lengths to reconcile with each of us, as unlovable and difficult as we are. "Therefore, first be reconciled with thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."