Rushing for the Eucharist

This week, UCU is hosting the All Clergy Conference, an event that is supposed to happen every ten years, though was last held in 1980.  Since such a great amount of time has passed, there is a great deal of excitement among the participants, many of whom seem to still be "on the way coming."

Last night we began the conference with Holy Communion, and Amos had asked me to assist with the distribution, which I am always happy to do.  [As an aside, it also ensured that I could have a seat in Nkoyoyo Hall because many came who had not previously registered, and many "on the way coming" arrived during the service, and not all of them were able to sit, but I digress.]

I happened to be one of the first to go to my station for the distribution, and I am accustomed to the fact that people just come up to receive the Eucharist - there is no row-by-row progression.  However, I was utterly and completely mobbed by these clergy, all with outstretched hands to receive the body and blood of Christ.

At first, I was a bit taken aback; the American in me wanted these people to form some semblance of a line.  They're all clergy, every one of them... don't they know how things should go?  Don't they know that I'll get to them eventually?  

Then it occurred to me - this urgency, this almost desperation to take part of the Eucharist, is entirely appropriate.  I'd say it's how we really should be, actually.  I've never rushed up to a priest to receive the Eucharist, but shouldn't I?  Isn't Jesus' sacrifice something that I should rush to celebrate?  

Anglican decorum and procedure aside, I am deeply humbled by my brothers and sisters, and their eagerness to partake.  I grew up celebrating the Eucharist every week, and when we are in session, we celebrate it twice a week in chapel.  Not everyone has this privilege.  I imagine that when one cannot celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection every week, each service becomes rather special.

I think I need to renew my sense of joy, wonder, and reverence for the Eucharist.