Memorial Meals

Friends and I have shared memorial services and meals for my wife, Bina, in Idaho and Texas. The gatherings of people who love her to worship God, share a meal, and remember her have been a great comfort to me, my family, and our friends. There is something very healing about breaking bread together, especially when the purpose of the meal is to remember the life of a loved one who has died. Often there is a strong feeling of the presence of the one we are remembering.

One aspect of Holy Communion that liturgical Christians sometimes forget is that it is a memorial meal. As we proclaim the death, resurrection, and return of our Lord, we eat and drink. As we eat and drink we remember the One Who has gone before us to prepare a place for us. As we remember Him there is a strong feeling of His presence. There is more than a feeling. It's called Real Presence. The bread we eat is His Body, and the wine we drink is His Blood.

The feeling of presence at a memorial meal has its roots in His Presence. Those who have gone before us are with Him, so where He is present, they are present. Consider the words from the great hymn, "For all the Saints:"

O Blest Communion, Fellowship Divine!
We Feebly struggle; They in Glory shine.

Yet all are one in Thee for all are Thine!
Alleluia, Alleuia!