Good morning and happy palindrome day!
What's a palindrome, you say?
A palindrome is GK transliteration that literally means "running back again". It's a word, or sequence of numbers that can be read left to right or right to left. Think of the name "Hannah" or "racecar" or the third Sunday of February's (Feb. 20, 2022) date: "2202022".
Of course, I'm not bringing this up to be merely clever or trivial (well, maybe a little clever) … but to celebrate two things:
- First, you are a clever being! You recognize these patterns, don't you? Good on you!
- Second, to point out that recognizing patterns is something distinctly human and is distinctly useful. In fact, did you know that human beings are the only ones on Terra Firma that can predict a pattern beat such as found in music? This is why gorillas and chickens don't have iTunes accounts!
But it's not just "data" to which I refer (oh, that's a palindrome!), it's information. You're reading this, right now. It's just letters. Why does this make sense? Because it's more than data. It's information. I'm trying to communicate with you. (thanks for listening!)
Consider the word "MOM" - a palindrome! But for most of us, mom represents the most beautiful, self-sacrificing, and powerful person in the world. But mom is a reverse palindrome, as well: turn it upside down and it reads WOW (and it's still a palindrome!) It's not just data. It's information. It's not just what you see, it's what is seen because of it.
It's not what you look at, it's what looks back at you.
Patterns suggest structure. Structures invoke design. Design implies a Designer. A Designer means there's meaning.
Wafer. Juice. The data tells me it's a bland snack.
But Communion tells me there is more behind the data.
What does communion mean to you?
Will it change you? Is it meant to change you?
Who means to change you? Why?
Does the Designer of communion mean for you to not leave this room the same?
Honestly, who cares about palindromes like "civic" or "rotor" or "radar" … 2 20 2022. What matters is what you care about what Communion means.
Don't think about what you TAKE from the Lord's Table.
Think about what you GIVE.
By the way, if you live in Roswell and would like to receive communion, but can't because you are homebound or immune system compromised, give us a call. We'd love to help you.
And if you can get to church, but just aren't making it … it's time to take it to the next level (Look! One more palindrome!): get on back to church!