Bishop Eric Menees
In this the third week of Easter we are closing in on the
climax of our worship. We’ve sang the Lord’s praises, read his word, listened
to a learned and spirit filled sermon, professed our faith, offered the prayers
of the people, asked for and received forgiveness, given our tithes and
offerings to the Lord, joined as the Bride of Christ in the prayer of
consecration, and received an invitation to come to the altar of the Lord.
Today we look at the Administration of Holy Communion. As we
respond to the invitation of the celebrant we reverently come forward and
either kneel or reverently stand before the ministers as they come forward with
the elements. We receive the elements in one of two ways – either opening our
mouths to have the host placed on our tongue or we place our hands out to
receive the host hearing the words:
“The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was given for
you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Take and eat this in
remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith,
with thanksgiving.]”
The Chalice Bearer follows immediately and invites us to
either sip from the chalice (or, if the communicant so desires, the chalice
bearer will intinct the host into the wine) and says:
“The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was shed for
you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance
that Christ’s Blood was shed for you, and be thankful.]”
Coming forward to receive the Body and Blood of Christ is
both a declaration of our faith and an act of faith. I think of the Prologue of
the Gospel of John and the declaration: “12 But to all who did receive him, who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were
born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of
God.” (John 1:12-13) In the act of communion we both “receive” Christ into our
bodies and in action profess our belief in him. We assert our role and position
as Children of God coming to the table of our loving Father.
I am also reminded of the words of our Lord, “53 So Jesus
said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son
of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.54 Whoever feeds on my
flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last
day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.56 Whoever feeds
on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”(John 6:53-55)
The reception of Holy Communion is literally stepping into
the Kingdom of God. In our faith and our action of feeding on the body and
blood of Christ we experience a foretaste of the eternal life we have with
Christ. However, that is not simply a future experience but a present reality
for those of us who “abide in Christ.” The act of communion with Christ in the
Holy Eucharist is of utmost importance and therefore, only to be done with
reverence and a right attitude. I recall the warning of St. Paul as he wrote to
the church in Corinth: “27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup
of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood
of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and
drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body
eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Cor. 11:27-29)
This coming Lord’s Day I pray you every blessing and peace
as you commune with the Lord in worship and in the reception of the Holy
Eucharist!
No comments:
Post a Comment