This evening we will begin our meditations on the Holy Eucharist with Book IV of Thomas á Kempis’ Imitation of Christ. Á Kempis begins his series of meditations with the awesome duty we have of preparation. Á Kempis looks back on the preparations made by Noah, Moses, and Solomon to receive God’s presence. Noah took one hundred years to build the ark. Gen 5:32, 7:6. Exodus goes into great detail about how the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle which is to house the Ark are to be constructed, including an overlay of gold and fine linen. Exodus 25-28. In Kings, we read of the seven years it took Solomon to build a glorious temple to house the Ark and the extraordinary celebration at the dedication of the Temple. 1 Kings 6-8. The question for us, therefore, is what type of preparation do we make to receive God as well? Our preparation isn’t to be over years nor require gold and other external finery. Rather, as á Kempis tells us, we too should be drawn to God’s presence (in our case in the Eucharist) with a “firm faith, devout hope, and sincere love.” We will go through the first few meditations tonight.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is gourmet hot dogs. Meditations at 6:45. Compline at 8. Hope to see you here.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
1 Corinthians 11:27-28.