This morning is World Communion Sunday. Think of yourself as one of these beautiful communion chalices. Can you imagine what that feels like? They are "cups of the spirit," or vessels of honor that have been set apart for a very special use, for celebrating our unity in God's love through Jesus Christ. That's our theme for this morning.

Our scripture today is the middle section of what is referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer" in which Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, and for the unity of the church. He prays that we might be protected from evil while we remain in the world, that we'll be filled with the joy of knowing that we are one with him even as he is one with God, and that we might be sanctified in the truth of God's Word.

The word sanctified literally means holy, as when something is "set apart" or designated for special, sacred use. In the Hebrew Testament the word was used for consecrating priests and sacrifices. In the book of Jeremiah, we hear the Word of the Lord saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you came forth I sanctified you and ordained you a prophet." Moses consecrated and sanctified the sons of Aaron to be priests. To be sanctified means to become a vessel of honor for the Lord. Jesus is praying this morning for you and for me to be sanctified as special vessels of God's Holy Spirit.

In 11 Timothy 2:20 Paul writes about how in a house there are a variety of vessels, some for special use, some for ordinary. It's true in your own home. You have special dinnerware that you pull out for special times, perhaps the silver or the china, a crystal goblet instead of a common drinking glass. Paul says that disciples of Jesus Christ are like special vessels dedicated to specific uses by the owner of the house. God is the owner of the house, and Christ is praying this morning that you and I will be vessels filled with the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love and joy, peace and patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

But please notice that being set apart does not mean being put on a shelf. Jesus doesn't pray that we be removed from the world. Disciples are supposed to be used, supposed to be involved and a part of the everyday life of decision making and responsibility taking. Jesus doesn't pray that we become so special that we're locked up in a cabinet or retreat to a monastery. He prays that we be protected from getting broken while we're being used.

There's one other very important aspect to sanctification. Not only does it mean to be set apart for a special task, it also means that we're specially equipped for that task! God doesn't ask us to do anything we can't do. God doesn't expect us to do something without giving us the gifts and the graces, the aptitudes and the skills to accomplish the job. Now, we may not have all the skills we need in the beginning! Sometimes God gives us a particular job in order to teach us new skills, kind of like on-the-job training. Sanctification is an ongoing process. It is God empowering us with the mind and the heart and the character that is necessary to accomplish whatever is set before us. That's why Christ is praying that we recognize that we are one with him, even as he is one with God. It is by taking on the heart and the mind of Christ that we become equipped with the gifts of the Spirit that make our discipleship effective.

One of the most important ways we are empowered is through the fellowship of worship and the sacrament of Holy Communion. Think of yourselves as one of these beautiful vessels, filled with the Spirit of God, overflowing with the strong and joyful expressions of God's love and grace. Come, be filled, and know that each of you is offered the opportunity to be one in Christ. Amen.