I remember once when I was a teenager sitting in my Sunday School class, I had a teacher tell me that while the Sacrament is been administered to the congregation, we are supposed to focus on the Saviour – His sacrifice, His example, how we compared to it that week.
Of all the things my teacher taught us not to do during the sacrament, probably the one I remember the most is not to watch the deacons passing the sacrament. It distracts us from focusing on the Saviour. Perhaps the reason I remembered this more than the others is because that was thing I was prone to do.
Though a lot has changed over the years, occasionally I still find myself distracted by the deacons. This past Sunday was no exception. This time however, I looked at it all in a different light.
Moroni teaches us that one of the main reasons we come to Church is “to speak one with another concerning the welfare of [our] souls” (Moro 6:5). The Lord has told us that one of the purposes of the priesthood is to “be with [the Church] and strengthen them” (D&C 20:53). Paul explains that though we are many, and each of us different, “we…are one body in Christ” (Rom. 12:5).
As I was watching the deacons pass the Sacrament yesterday, I couldn’t help but think of these scriptures. I couldn’t help but notice how the very ordinance itself helps us to work together as one body.
I had a sociology professor in university. We were studying the culture of food, or in other words, how food affects and even shapes our culture. He discussed food from a religious standpoint, and mentioned many of the Christian sects which practice an ordinance/sacrament which memorialises the sacrifice of Christ. Amazingly enough, he brought up the LDS church as well.
Something he said that day came to my mind yesterday as I watched those deacons and reflected on those scriptures. He said that when someone offers someone else food, it is a sign of intimacy, trust and humility.
A parent would probably never think twice about eating a child’s half-eaten hot dog, for example, if the child could not eat it. However, if a complete stranger walked up to those same parents and offered another half-eaten hot dog, the chances of them accepting it are close to nothing.
And so it is with our church. Each member takes it from the person beside them, showing they have complete trust in them. By breaking the so-called comfort zone, their brother-/sister-hood affiliation is rekindled. And as s/he takes the tray and passes it to the next person, the same feelings are shown forth.
The sacrament. Such a simple, common ordinance. Possibly the one we see most often. Yet how often do we truly see the significance in it? While the bread and water signify something truly extraordinary, the action of taking and passing themselves help us to become extraordinary ourselves.
