Remembering What Really Matters

This past weekend’s service was a special one. it was the final Communion service of the year. The pastor’s message centered on unity and forgiveness. He urged us to reconcile with one another before participating in such a sacred observance.

You could sense that this wasn’t just another sermon. It came from a place of deep concern about the quiet divisions that can sometimes creep into church life. The spirit of misunderstanding, hurt, and “divide and conquer” that weakens a community if left unchecked.

Communion, after all, is meant to draw us together, not push us apart.

Following the message, we participated in the foot-washing service, commemorating the moment when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. It’s a powerful reminder that no one is above another in the Kingdom. We are called to serve, not to elevate ourselves.

On my way back into the sanctuary, I overheard some frustration about visual scenes from The Passion of the Christ being shown as part of the reflection in the sanctuary.

And it made me pause.

Communion is an act of remembrance. We are remembering Christ’s sacrifice, His suffering, and His love. For some, seeing a visual representation can deepen that reflection. For others, it may feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable.

But in that moment, I was reminded how easy it is for preferences and traditions to distract us from the purpose of the gathering.

The early church faced far greater challenges than style or presentation - they were persecuted, yet their focus remained on Christ. Today, we can sometimes allow minor issues to overshadow the very message we are meant to uphold.

Doctrine is important. Structure matters. But neither should ever eclipse the heart of the Gospel - love, compassion, humility, and unity in Christ.

When we identify ourselves as Christians, we are claiming to follow His example. That means embodying grace, patience, and a servant’s spirit even when we don’t all see things the same way.

The world is watching how we live out our faith. If our actions don’t align with what we profess, the message of Christ can become harder for others to see.

As we step into a new season, it’s worth asking ourselves:

Am I representing Christ in how I speak, serve, and love?
Am I seeking unity, or unintentionally creating division?
Am I more focused on being right—or on being Christ-like?

Communion reminds us not only of what Jesus did, but of how we are called to live because of it.

So the real question is:

Are we keeping the main thing - the main thing?