Broken Wafers

A reflection by Rev Patti Johnston following a CMS Ireland visit to Maridi Diocese, South Sudan, in March.

The Mothers’ Union conference opened on a hot and dry Wednesday morning.  About 500 women had arrived from all over the diocese.  Some had travelled for days through unsecure areas to meet with their sisters in Christ, to be encouraged in their faith, in their roles as wives and mothers, and in their work. 

The solemnity of Lent may have curbed the dancing, but not their voices.  Songs of praise and worship filled the air; although I couldn’t understand the words they were singing, I did recognize some of the music and was able to sing along.

“Savior, Saviour, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by”. (Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour)

When it came time for Holy Communion, I stood with a full paten of consecrated wafers next to Rev. Nama.  She held the chalice as I dipped each wafer in the blessed wine, then placed it into the open palms of the woman in front of me.  I tried to bend down to make eye contact and smile, as I placed the blessed sacrament in the open hands, but none would look at me.  Each bowed lower, and consumed the precious gift of life in her hands.

Soon, there were only broken wafers left on the paten, and I returned to the altar for more. One by one, they were given and consumed. Again, only broken wafers remained on the paten, and again, I returned to the altar.  But this time I was left with just the broken wafers.

At home, I would not hand out broken wafers, I would consume them. I would never give less than a whole wafer; but then, I’ve never fed so many hungry people. Rev. Nama assured me that it was ok.

Each woman received the body and blood of Christ with the same demeanour: humility, hunger, and satisfaction. Whole or broken, Christ was present. They were not receiving less of Him; they were not feeling “less than” because of a broken wafer. 

Broken wafers and the presence of Christ satisfied their hunger.  Broken wafers, like broken people, are not to be cast aside.  Broken wafers are enough to feed His hungry and broken children, and broken people are enough for Him to work through, for His glory and the healing of the nations.