by DesertProse
I joined a multi-faith webinar service for Easter. All were encouraged to bring their own emblems of communion to conclude the meeting.
After many shared reflections on the Savior and the hope of the resurrection, participants were invited to ponder the sacrament and sacrifice. I turned to the familiar verses in Moroni 4 & 5 and spoke aloud the words to bless my own sweet bread and guava juice.
I read the verse as I felt it—
Oh God, the Eternal Mother and Father, I ask thee to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
When I invoked the authority of the Mother, I felt to skip two small, but significant words— “of it.” This blessing was for all who partake (period). I felt a wave of love affirm that God accepts and blesses all who eat. All who hunger. The bread had been sanctified to my soul, irrespective of my womanly lips forming the words.
It felt beautiful to partake on behalf of all who eat. For those who don’t believe they are deserving— I blessed and ate. For those who don’t believe they have authority to do the same— I blessed and drank.
The Savior’s grace and atonement extend to all, so why limit the blessings of the sacrament to those who eat under authorized blessing? Do we truly believe that five loaves sanctified by God can feed thousands? Due to our current isolation, there are more of God’s children than ever who are going hungry for the sanctification of the bread and water.
Who is there of you, whom if her daughter ask for bread, will give her a stone?
How much more shall your Mother which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Her? -Matthew 7:9,11
DesertProse lives in the Mojave Desert where she raises three boys, writes for a living and occasionally for fun.
2 Responses
Thank you for this. I’m thinking of doing this. I’m so tired of having the blessings of the sacrament denied me because I’m single.