Yes, I know I’ve written about Holy Communion before, but it has been a while, and for many of us, we are just recently returning to or are still hoping to return to the old way we used to do communion. Because of COVID, many of us have either forgone the meal for over two years or had/have switched to the prepackaged wafer and juice cups. Recently, the church where I serve began once again to offer communion by intinction. We still offer the prepackaged option for those not yet comfortable with returning to intinction. We have also restarted our weekly Wednesday evening communion services. Whichever option we choose and however often we choose it, however, it is helpful to remember what this meal is all about and why we are called to celebrate it.
– Rev. Joyce Day
On the night before his death on the cross, Jesus celebrated the Passover Meal with his disciples. Jesus knew this would be the last time they would share this meal together. The disciples simply seemed to sense that things were different, more tense, than usual. They were gathered for this celebratory meal just as they did every year, gathered to remember how God had freed their ancestors from slavery in Egypt and led them into a new life in the Promised Land so long ago. They remembered how death had passed over the Israelites’ houses while claiming the lives of the Egyptians’ firstborn sons. And so, the disciples were ready for the traditional Passover liturgy.
But then Jesus did something different. He veered from the expected words and said something strange, yet beautiful. As he lifted the bread to bless it, he said to them, “Take and eat. This is my body.” Then he took the cup, and blessing it, he said, “Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many so that their sins may be forgiven” (see Matthew 26:26-28).
Now, 2,000 years later, we continue to eat the bread and drink from the cup. We take into ourselves the very essence of Jesus the Christ. Through these earthly elements (grain and grapes), our spirits are fed, nourished, and renewed. Through this meal, we are united with Christ, made one with the Trinitarian God. If you take the time to think about it, that’s pretty dog-gone amazing!
For all of this to really be transformative for us, though, it helps to pay attention to the utter grace that God pours out upon us through this meal, and before we can do that, we really need to set aside some unhelpful communion habits and ideas. So here we go (and sorry if this steps on anyone’s toes!):
- Some folks think that we shouldn’t celebrate communion weekly (some even say monthly) because it takes away the specialness of it. Oh, my! If receiving the body and blood of our Lord and Savior ever stops being special, we’d best get a jumpstart to our spirits! Every single time we receive it, even if that be daily or hourly or (as John Wesley recommended) as often as possible, it is incredibly special! It isn’t the frequency (or lack thereof) that makes it special. It’s the mindful, attentive attitude with which we approach it.
- Some folks come to the table focused more on the palatability of the bread and juice than on the meaning of it. If the taste isn’t to their liking (and heaven knows, those little dry wafers usually aren’t!), they would rather not bother. Oh, my! When our tastebuds become more important than our spiritual well-being, something is truly amiss! Regardless of the palatability, the bread (even those nasty wafers) and juice become a true feast when they are for us the body and blood of Christ.
- Some folks fear coming to the table because they feel unworthy. Oh, my! If we all waited to be worthy, none of us would ever come! Think about who was gathered around that first table. Peter was there. After consistently failing to understand who Jesus was and what Jesus was teaching him, he denied knowing Jesus to save his own skin. All the other male disciples would desert Jesus in his most difficult hour, yet they were there. Even Judas, who would betray him, was invited to that meal. If they can dine with Jesus, so can any of us.
So, please, make it a wonderful, meaningful habit to celebrate Holy Communion and receive the body and blood of Christ as often as possible and as attentively as possible. You will be surprised at how God encounters you in the simple elements of bread and juice.