Studying I Corinthians 11 several weeks ago, then hearing Pastor read the last part of it Sunday night during the Lord's Supper, impressed on me again the Lord's great love for us.

Stopping us from sinning is a loving thing to do. Paul has a huge contrast in chapter 11 between the verses right before the Lord's Supper and the words Pastor reads. The contrast was that the Corinthians were disrespecting the Lord's very body on earth, the church, by shaming the poor with feasts at which the rich people binged (and got drunk!) while the poor went hungry. Paul lovingly rebukes them for their sinful disrespect for each other.

Since my friend and I are studying just the words, without commentaries, we had to think how such a situation could have happened in Corinth. It looks like everybody brought their own food. If anyone shared, it was not with the poor because they were still hungry afterwards.

Maybe that is how the idea of potlucks arose over the centuries. The Lord's Supper is now celebrated separately from the meal. At a potluck, everyone brings what they can and shares. No one is shamed by being on a lower budget. We all get some things we don't know how to make. And we fellowship on an equal footing, because that is how we look to Christ! We are all His precious, blood-washed children.

It is a beautiful picture. Like all moms, I remember teaching Joey that, just because he is young and quick, he must know to only take one piece of pizza or fried chicken till all have been served, then go back for seconds. In that way, we teach respect for the body of Christ, our brothers and sisters.

I am so thankful for both church potlucks and for the Lord's Supper. I am so thankful for the body of Christ, both symbolized in a tiny piece of bread and around me each week at worship!