The Liturgy of the Broken Bread

"Welcome, Bienvenidos.  It is a good night to be together.  We are a community of equals, a community of faith, and a community of fellowship.  So, as disciples on the road to Emmaus did so long ago with Jesus, we too invite you to 'stay with us because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.'"  Thus begins Common Cathedral's Liturgy of the Broken Bread in Collyer Park, Longmont, Colorado at 6 PM each Friday night.

People gather from the streets of Longmont, from Ft. Collins, and from Boulder to share two meals--the Holy Meal of Christ's Body and a Holy Meal prepared by volunteers or donated by restaurants.  Deacon Marc Genty has led the gathering for 3-1/2 years, but has worked among the homeless for much longer, finding housing and identifying needed resources.  Polly and others lead the group in song from an extensive songbook the group has developed.

I was impressed by the liturgy.  It was written in simple language accessible to everyone present, shortened to accommodate the outdoor space, yet including all the elements of a more traditional service.  The sermon is interactive.  The story of the rich man whose debt was forgiven by the king, but who, in turn, did not forgive the much smaller debt of his servant (Matt. 18:21-35), elicited stories of forgiveness asked, forgiveness given, and forgiveness denied.  How often should we forgive?  As many times as it takes, Jesus said.  Difficult words for the man whose family member was murdered or the father whose children have been taken away.  Difficult words for all of us. Yet words we must hear.  Marc had the sensitivity to listen, allow the question to hang in the air, and let the Spirit do her work.

One of the things we teach in our lay preaching class (taught by the Rev. Stephen Smith and me in the Diocese of Southern Ohio) is that the task of the preacher is to open the scriptures, but not try to provide answers that are not there.  To issue the challenge, but not to shove listeners into corners from which they can't escape.  To join the congregation in the struggle of Jesus' words, but never, ever to assume a superior stance.  In the lesson from Matthew we are exhorted to forgive 70 X 7 times, but we are not told how to go about the task.  That is for us to figure out for ourselves in the fellowship of other Christians.  Participatory sermons and personal storytelling have a place among more traditional styles and I am always blessed to hear the wisdom of those with whom I worship and serve, from the most highly educated to the most battered by life -- maybe especially from the battered and bruised.