Eucharist- All are welcome

Echo: A social media message from Rev. Suzie Robertson:

Earliest written account of Eucharist: "...'eating the bread and drinking the cup of the Lord' in the celebration of a 'Supper of the Lord', to the Last Supper of Jesus"

As an Episcopal Priest actively serving a church as Interim Rector, I must speak to the announcement that Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be denied the opportunity to receive communion in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco. 

As a servant at this holy table for decades, I have never denied anyone the Eucharist.

So many are caught up in politics and church dogma that they have lost sight of Jesus and what he said. Speaker Pelosi was instructed by Jesus, himself, to do this. 

People forget that a group of saints and sinners were at the dinner table with Jesus, who would die for them, the next day. They were at a family meal. They were friends and colleagues who didn't agree on everything. They didn't have everything figured out. They were existing in chaos. They were afraid. Some of them turned their backs on their own.

The Eucharist, Holy Communion, The Lord's Supper is a holy meal. All were encouraged by Christ to partake of it. So, how does denying someone echo the words of Jesus? The very word, Eucharist comes from a 1st Century word from which charity, grace, compassion, thank you, gracias, grazzi, comfort, etc., also get their meanings. Practically, when a person comes to a family meal to eat, it is rude not to welcome them.

When someone who is spiritually or otherwise hungry comes to us, it is cruel not to feed them. At this table, altar, or whatever you want to call it, we say thanksgivings, we ask for forgiveness. Before that, we offer the peace to our neighbors and bring an offering to that table, the fruits of our own labors and our contributions to God and God's people.

Speaker Pelosi, or even any derelict who walks this planet, you will always be welcomed at my table, and I will feed you. Bring them on! Send the Archbishop back to Sunday School or Bible Study.
Come worship with me at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Seattle. Regardless of your circumstances, where you have been or where you are going, eat and drink with me, the holiest meal ever served. All are welcomed.

Maine Writer:  As a Roman Catholic woman, I want to thank Rev. Suzie Robertson for writing this social media commentary.

Salvatore Cordileone is the Archbishop of San Francisco- He can be fired!  #PopeFrancisAlert