A communion precursor

The first time this story was told
they gathered around a table
a ragged collection of people –
sinners
betrayers
power-hungry
fragile
lost
lonely.

The first time this story was told,
Jesus promised that it was for all time
that whenever the bread was broken
and the wine was poured,
wherever the story was told around the table
he would be there.

Today we tell the story
as its been told a thousand times over;
we break the bread,
and we pour the wine;
sure, as we do,
that we belong at this table
and that Jesus is here with us.

On the night Jesus was betrayed…

[I’m writing communion liturgies as part of a collection of liturgies for using in the prison. one of the things we try to emphasise in worship is the connection of the community of faith in the prison with communities of faith throughout history and across the world today. Cheryl Lawrie]