The Bread that Jesus breaks with me

Helps me to truly see

This Bread, which is my life in Christ, who dares me

To be fully in touch with God

It tastes of the grain of heartache;

While, its moist with the texture of triumph

This Bread, which is my life, in Christ who dares me

To eat freely or go to grow stale

The Cup that Jesus offers me

Filled with my Destiny

As one, who like the Christ, takes on the challenge

To be fully in touch with God

It’s bitter with the sting of failure

While it’s sweet with the promise of glory

This Cup, which is my life, in Christ, who dares me

To drink fully, or go to waste

Lucia Chappelle, a fierce Black lesbian who lives in LA wrote these poem that is to be sung to the tune of “The Blood Will Never Lose its Power.” Lucia is still writing and creating, her long grey locks hanging down by her waist. She has been a part of the fight for LGBTQ liberation for decades, her writing and poetry accompanying her long history of activism and prayer.

Today, we remember the last meal Jesus shared with his friends and disciples. The night when he knelt down, humbly, next to each one and washed their feet. He broke bread and blessed wine. He prayed. Almost certainly, he cried. He begged Peter, John, and James to stay awake and keep vigil for him. After a full day and a big meal, they couldn’t. But, who knows? Maybe they wouldn’t have been able to save Jesus from the authorities even if they had stayed awake. He was betrayed and taken into custody. A night that begun in celebration of a steadfast God who brought the Israelites out of slavery ended with Jesus, the king of the Jews, brought into slavery.

As you reflect upon this Passover meal and the celebration of communion in church, what comes to mind today? What keeps your faith from going stale? What is at risk of going to waste if you don’t drink the cup fully?