ordinary::communion

I’m sure you’re wondering about the title of this blog, especially since these two words—thrown together—seem to be a contradiction in terms. In fact, the title itself came out of a dinner conversation with my wife on our first date night since the baby was born.

I ran my idea for the blog by her, and we immediately started brainstorming names. We came up with “Breaking Bread,” “Table Theology,” and other alliterative titles (always a good start), a few cheesy ones, and a couple that were flat out ridiculous. My wife suggested “Wine and Jesus” (like “wine and cheeses”…I know...I didn’t get it either).

But then it came to us – these two words that seem unrelated but, taken together, capture my intentions for this blog.

or·di·nar·y [awr-dn-er-ee]

adjective

1.     of no special quality or interest; commonplace; unexceptional

2.     plain or undistinguished

3.     somewhat inferior or below average; mediocre

4.     customary; usual; normal

com·mun·ion [kuh-myoon-yuhn]

            noun

1.     the Eucharistic elements, the act of receiving Eucharistic elements, or the celebration of the act of receiving the Eucharistic elements

2.     a group of persons having a common religious faith

3.     association; fellowship

4.     interchange or sharing of thoughts or emotions; intimate communication

5.     the act of sharing, or holding in common; participation

That’s what I’m shooting for: commonplace, customary, everyday ways of experiencing faith and fellowship, sharing and participating in one another’s lives.

And at a closer look, even the words are related:

Ordinary = common -> community -> communion

Communion is always ordinary. At the most basic level, it’s just a meal, just food.

But a meal, at its highest level, is more than just food.

All communion is ordinary. Even ordinary meals are communion.

Both are a sacrament: a visible sign of an invisible grace, an unexplainable presence found in basic elements of life, a faith made real through food.

What have been your experiences with "ordinary communion"? Has a common meal ever seemed like something more (sacramental, holy, etc.)?