Remembrance Backward and Forward
October 19, 2014 | Patrick Preheim
We continue our pilgrimage through the bible with the book of Numbers. Numbers, like communion, has much to do with memory. Henry Neufeld’s article in the last Canadian Mennonite makes clear that our memories create our reality. The way we choose to remember shapes our identity, our capacity to experience happiness, our ability to participate in community life (Henry Neufeld, “Bearing the burden of memory pain”, in Canadian Mennonite (Sept 29, 2014), pp 4-6). Numbers is a beautiful case study of the way in which a painful memory—slavery in Egypt—can both hamper and empower the people of God.
In the book of Numbers there are two different censuses which take place: in chapters 1 & 26. According to Dennis Olson these two different numberings split the narrative into sections which have distinct themes (Dennis Olson, Numbers (in the Interpretation Biblical Commentary Series), pp 1-6). He described the first block as the “generation of rebellion”. In these chapters the Israelites complain about food and water (11.4-15, 20.1-13, 21.1-9), quake in fear before the Canaanites (ch 13), and engage in various rebellions against the leadership of God and Moses (12.1-16; 14.1-12; ch 16). Negative memory is at the root of these cringe inducing stories. The Israelites focus on the melons and fish of Pharaoh, not the Providence of manna and quail. They fixate on the might of foreign armies, not the protection of God. They remember the security of an Egyptian cage, not their deliverance from bondage. It is a testimony to God’s goodness that manna, quail, water, cloud (9.15-23) continued despite the lost memory of the people.
The chapters following the second census represent the “generation of hope” (Olson, pp 1-6). In this section we find stories of success as the people anticipate entry into the Promised Land. Positive memory is at the root of these stories of triumph. The daughters of Zelophehad remember that God cares for the orphan and widow, so with confidence they bring their land claim before Moses and the Lord (ch 27.1-11). The Israelites remember God’s victory over the Egyptian armies, so they engage the Midianites with confidence (ch 31). The people remember that God redeems murders and sinners, so they willingly establish cities of refuge (35.9-28).
The Numbers narrative puts before us an important question. Does the way in which we choose to remember handicap or resource our journey towards a good and Promised Land?
Our celebration of the Lord’s Supper is also laced with memory. Our communion table is engraved with the words of Jesus to do this, the breaking of bread and sharing of the cup, in remembrance of me (Luke 22.19 and parallels). In his first letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul repeated these words of Jesus and then clarified that which we are to remember: the death of Jesus (1st Cor 11.26). And I think Paul means for us to remember the death of Jesus in way which strengthens us as we follow Christ and God. The painful memory of Christ’s death can become a source of power in our lives; we just need to claim it.
We choose to remember the compassionate and daring ministry of Jesus which led to his crucifixion so that we might imitate his ministry even as we carry his name. We choose to remember that Jesus forgave those who abandoned and betrayed him at the time of death so that we might forgive ourselves and those beside us. We choose to remember that death could not stop Jesus so that we might courageously face our mortality through martyrdom or natural death. Communion is about tapping into an institutional memory that propels us forward. The memory which communion elicits has the power to challenge and dismantle the negative memory associated with the generation of rebellion.
May the Spirit of Christ break through the pessimism, cynicism, rebellion, and fear which keep us from most fully claiming the power of memory. May it be so for our sakes and the sake of God’s world. Amen.
~ Patrick Preheim, co-pastor Nutana Park Mennonite Church
Communion Service – October 19, 2014
Anita: We come on this day to eat and drink at the table of our Lord as a sign of our unity in Christ. We are fed by God and so united with other believers across the centuries and around the world. This is the Lord’s table; all who confess Jesus as Lord are invited to this feast of remembrance and celebration of God's provision.
Prayer: Lord of Abundance, may we be conscious of your presence among us that we may eat and drink together in the knowledge that you redeem our lives from all that is destructive, that we might choose life as a gift of your Spirit and that we be made whole. In this service of thanksgiving may we celebrate the many ways in which you feed us today and have fed your people through the generations. May we know your presence in the breaking of the bread. Amen.
Patrick: In obedience to the invitation of Jesus we come to the table of our Lord with thanks and praise. Hear the words of faith given in our scriptures:
For on the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Anita: In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Together: (Raise the elements) The gifts of God for the people of God!
Patrick: Let us pray for the bread. O Lord, as the grain of the land once was scattered, then gathered and brought together to become one loaf, so let your Church be gathered together that hunger may be satisfied in us and in your world. For the glory and the power is yours through Jesus Christ forever. Amen
As you serve the person next to you offer them the peace of Christ. Hold the bread so that we might all eat together. The bread is gluten free. (distribution)
This is the bread come down from heaven; it is the body of Christ. Those who eat of this bread will hunger no more. As we eat let us think on the One who is made known in the breaking of bread.
Anita: Let us pray for the wine. Gracious God, in this cup grapes are now mixed with one another. They, being joined together, quench thirst and give joy. The cup represents our shared life together and our shared life in Christ. As we partake together may we be filled with joy, thanksgiving, and passion for the justice of Christ so that one day we may drink the new wine in your kingdom. Amen
As you pass the tray to your neighbour remember them in prayer. The inner circle of the tray is grape juice. Hold the cup so that we might all drink together. (distribution)
Jesus said, "Those who drink of that which I give will never thirst again." (Jn 4:14); it will become in us a spring welling up to life eternal. This wine is the blood of Christ. Taste and see the goodness of our Lord. (distribute)
Patrick: Prayer Thank you God, for the great gifts of bread and wine that call us to remember your mercy and forgiveness. You draw us to yourself through the Holy Spirit, through baptism, and through our community life together. Unite us now with the whole church of your Spirit around the world, and those of our cities and towns we are meant to sustain with the bread and cup of this worship. Lead us into the path of Jesus who feeds us and loves us and never forgets us. Hear us now as we pray as you taught your disciples to pray saying, “Our Father….”
