taste and see...living like a refugee

Sunday morning at church my oldest daughter asked if she could take communion. Now, remember she's not been baptized, confirmed, or anything of that nature. Pausing during worship, I took out my "notes" journal (to be distinguished from my "narrative" journal.) I don't really refer to either in this way. Most of the time it's "the little journal" and “the other journal.” But, you probably get the picture of the difference. Anyway, here's what I jotted down...

7/2/06

Is the Eucharist a rite of initiation or is baptism the only one?

I think that taking communion can be a profession of faith as well as a symbol of faith.

Can Bailey have the Lord's Supper?

By all means!!
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I guess I'll be labeled a heretic for sure, but for some reason that doesn't bother me in this case (or any others to be honest). Bailey is too curious and hopeful to give her some doctrinal supposition on initiation, rites and rituals. I am afraid of what that would do to her spiritual curiosity which, as I have said before, is just as much a spiritual gift as anything else.

So, she took the bread up to her 9 year old mouth and placed it on her tongue. As it dissolved, she said, "Mmmm, that was good bread." As she held her cup (yes, the tiny baptist shot glasses), she quietly stared at it. I have no idea what she was thinking, but when the pastor gave us the liturgical nod to partake of the cup, Bailey didn't gulp it all down at once like most of us did. She took one little sip, then said, "Ahhh." She looked back at the rest of the cup's holy contents, paused, and then finished.

Am I a horrible theologian/father? Probably. Breaking with church tradition seems my style while simultaneously confessing a firm connection to the ancient church and her practices and teachings. But, never risking the chance to practice evangelism with my daughter. Inconsistent? Yeah, probably that too. But, constantly hoping that the Christian faith is more about discovery than dogma.

I reflect on Sunday morning's experience remembering the words of the Psalmist, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him." (Ps. 34.8)

Taste and see...