Today's post starts with talking about the Last Supper. As the disciples entered the room and sat at the table, the last thing they expected to happen was exactly what did happen. Jesus Christ took a bowl of water and knelt at each of their feet and washed them. I can't imagine even letting my own husband wash my feet because it is traditionally deemed a lowly act. But for the Savior to do so says a lot about Him and His perfect example of unconditional love and sacrifice. After He washed all of their feet, He introduced the ordinance of the sacrament.
By partaking of the sacrament we covenant that we are willing to take upon us the name of His Son, and always remember Him, especially in our daily walk and conversation.
Up until the last few months, I hadn't partaken of the sacrament and I can't even remember how long it has been before that! Right now in my life is the first time in years that I remember actually going to church enough and having enough faith to feel ok about taking the sacrament (most of the time).
All through high school I struggled with taking it, as it seemed that there was always a new obstacle I was in that prevented me from feeling good about taking it. Needless to say, my entire life has been a battle of worthiness to take the sacrament. I know of people that take it so lightly and don't ever stop taking it on Sundays. I have been told by so many bishops that the sacrament is far more sacred and serious than, perhaps a lot of people realize! You wouldn't go to the temple and do temple work like baptisms for the dead if you hadn't gone through the process of meeting with your bishop to obtain a temple recommend first. "The weekly opportunity of partaking of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is one of the most sacred ordinances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints... We may fail to recognize the deep spiritual significance this ordinance offers to each of us personally." (David B. Haight, "The Sacrament," Ensign, May 1983, 14).
So I have a system that I go through every Sunday that helps me really know if I am worthy of the blessings the sacrament brings.
I ask myself the questions of obtaining a temple recommend, which I know pretty well. I make sure that I have not only been clean in actions, but clean in my thoughts. I think 90% of my weaknesses is in thought. Whether it be judging others, being quick to anger, or worse that I don't want to admit to the public. We all have our demons.
I'm not telling anyone how to take the sacrament or that you have to go through the same process as I do, but I would encourage everyone to do what a bishop once encouraged me to do. Take the sacrament more seriously. Sure, it is absolutely humiliating to nod your head "no" to the deacon handing you the silver tray of broken bread or mini clear cups of water, waiting for you to take it. I would know, it's practically as common for me to shake my head "no" as it is to accept it. Maybe as we take the blessings of the sacrament more seriously, the blessings that come will be great and more sacred to our hearts.
More important than the inner-battle of worthiness to take the sacrament is the importance of what we should be covenanting. This should be done whether we actually partake of the sacrament or not. We should always have our thoughts and minds on Christ and the many sacrifices He made for us so that we could be here.
Elder Robert D. Hales explains that when we take "His name and always remember Him and keep His commandments, He gives us the greatest blessing He can give us: that is to always have His Spirit to be with us" ("In Remembrance of Jesus," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 25).
Try to remember Him always.
By partaking of the sacrament we covenant that we are willing to take upon us the name of His Son, and always remember Him, especially in our daily walk and conversation.
Up until the last few months, I hadn't partaken of the sacrament and I can't even remember how long it has been before that! Right now in my life is the first time in years that I remember actually going to church enough and having enough faith to feel ok about taking the sacrament (most of the time).
All through high school I struggled with taking it, as it seemed that there was always a new obstacle I was in that prevented me from feeling good about taking it. Needless to say, my entire life has been a battle of worthiness to take the sacrament. I know of people that take it so lightly and don't ever stop taking it on Sundays. I have been told by so many bishops that the sacrament is far more sacred and serious than, perhaps a lot of people realize! You wouldn't go to the temple and do temple work like baptisms for the dead if you hadn't gone through the process of meeting with your bishop to obtain a temple recommend first. "The weekly opportunity of partaking of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is one of the most sacred ordinances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints... We may fail to recognize the deep spiritual significance this ordinance offers to each of us personally." (David B. Haight, "The Sacrament," Ensign, May 1983, 14).
So I have a system that I go through every Sunday that helps me really know if I am worthy of the blessings the sacrament brings.
I ask myself the questions of obtaining a temple recommend, which I know pretty well. I make sure that I have not only been clean in actions, but clean in my thoughts. I think 90% of my weaknesses is in thought. Whether it be judging others, being quick to anger, or worse that I don't want to admit to the public. We all have our demons.
I'm not telling anyone how to take the sacrament or that you have to go through the same process as I do, but I would encourage everyone to do what a bishop once encouraged me to do. Take the sacrament more seriously. Sure, it is absolutely humiliating to nod your head "no" to the deacon handing you the silver tray of broken bread or mini clear cups of water, waiting for you to take it. I would know, it's practically as common for me to shake my head "no" as it is to accept it. Maybe as we take the blessings of the sacrament more seriously, the blessings that come will be great and more sacred to our hearts.
More important than the inner-battle of worthiness to take the sacrament is the importance of what we should be covenanting. This should be done whether we actually partake of the sacrament or not. We should always have our thoughts and minds on Christ and the many sacrifices He made for us so that we could be here.
Elder Robert D. Hales explains that when we take "His name and always remember Him and keep His commandments, He gives us the greatest blessing He can give us: that is to always have His Spirit to be with us" ("In Remembrance of Jesus," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 25).
Try to remember Him always.
The Invitation... Covenant
Read the account of the Last Supper in John 13:4-15
The Journey
-As you go through today, find ways that you can bring honor to Christ's name by letting the walk of your life exemplify Him. On this day, try to remember Him always.
-This 21 day journey will introduce different names of the Savior. Every chapter contains one name that relates to a scripture story or gospel principle. Take a moment each day to reflect on how each name describes a way that He blesses your life.
So grateful you are doing this! I look forward to your posts! Jesus Christ the ultimate Example! I love these verses in John, for a couple of reasons. One, Peter is an apostle of the Lord and yet he is a real person, so impetuous and yet so humble! He gives me hope that through my weaknesses I can humble myself and Come Back! Two, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer showed us, literally, how to interact with each other. He demonstrated Charity, the Pure Love of Christ, in all of His actions! I am currently reading 3 Nephi, my favorite! He just appeared to the Nephites and Lamanites and is teaching, exactly what he taught in Jerusalem. This tells me that we are all the same in His eyes and His Love is perfect and unconditional... He wants all of His children to Come unto Him... He doesn't want just the righteous... He wants the sinners too, even the most vile of sinners to turn from their evil practices, repent and Come to Him! This means to me that I must fit in there somewhere... what Hope this gives me! My last lesson in this ward is on the Sacrament! My heart has been touched by your words and if it is ok, I would like to share some of your thoughts in my class. Is that ok? I love you Alecia. Your are AMAZING!!
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