One of my very favorite Sunday feast days of the whole year is the Sunday that the church celebrates World Communion. This is a day that there is no us and them, no politics, no separation of denomination, race, privilege or economic status. It is a day that we, as the global church, come together to be reminded that we all are made one with each other, one in Christ, and one in ministry to the whole world.

Today, more than ever we need this reminder. All too often, we, “good Christians”, get caught up in the polarities of the world. We look for what makes us better or worse, right or wrong, richer or poorer. On World Communion Sunday, though, we are reminded that we are one in Christ at the table.

We also allow ourselves to be divided over our doctrinal conclusions and preferences. We allow ourselves to become divided on what we might think about baptism, worship style, and music preferences. On World Communion Sunday, though, we are able to move past our theological and doctrinal arrogance that separates us and remember that, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” -Galatians 3:28

We also become lazy and selfish in the way we serve Christ in the world. We allow our fear, anxieties, and hectic schedules prevent us from being bold witnesses of our faith in the world. On World Communion Sunday, though, we are reminded of our missional call to join with all who proclaim Christ as Lord to invite others to experience God’s good new, God’s justice, God’s grace, and God’s new life. I’m reminded of the words of Shauna Niequist: “To those of us who believe that all of life is sacred every crumb of bread and sip of wine is a Eucharist, a remembrance, a call to awareness of holiness right where we are. I want all of the holiness of the Eucharist to spill out beyond church walls, out of the hands of priests and into the regular streets and sidewalks, into the hands of regular, grubby people like you and me, onto our tables, in our kitchens and dining rooms and backyards.” This can only be done by the oneness of the global church serving God together, recognizing the Christ that unifies us in each person, and the willingness to move boldly in love into the world.