Today's Word

"As day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. . . .Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat--all 276 of us who were on board." Acts 27:33-37(NLT)

Today's Reflection

Symbols matter. At best they are an outward expression of an inner reality. Christians call these symbols sacraments. Christians practice them as reminders of what’s true and real and as such they are most powerful just when circumstances are at their worst or just after an incredible rescue.

It may be that Paul served communion to all 176 people on board as a way to give credit where credit was due. Neither fate nor sailors’ skill saved them. God did.

I’m sure many on board had no idea what Paul was doing as he passed around the bread, but at least some must have.

Baseball players cross themselves before batting, families say grace at meals, other wear crosses. What habits of the Christian Life, symbols, or sacramental practices have you worked into your hour to hour, day to day life? Yes, familiarity can breed contempt, but each of us does engage in some habit that signifies who we are and what we believe (cursing?) and many of those habits point to anything but God. Better to risk potentially meaningless reminders of God rather than have no reminders at all.   

Prayer

“Lord, I fear that there are too many times when my self-talk, behaviors, attitudes, habits and behaviors contain routine behaviors which testify to anything but you. Please Lord, lead me to words, practices and symbolic acts which become habitual and remind me and others that my life is about You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”