Wednesday Word . . . Holy Communion Thoughts
Holy Communion is the foretaste of the heavenly banquet. Holy Communion is the sacred meal of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. As Episcopalians we do not hold that the elements of bread and wine are changed into the substance of body and blood, but we do believe that the bread and wine are substantially changed such that they are infused with the real presence of Christ’s Body and Blood through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
These gifts of Body and Blood are then given to us, the members of Christ’s one holy catholic and apostolic Church, by the appointed ministers.
With regards to Communion in conversations I’ve had and overheard, the phrase “I am taking Communion,” (or words to that affect where take is the primary verb) often comes up. And while that is perfectly acceptable to think in those terms, let me give you another option.
“Take” most often refers to an action where we are the primary players. It implies bringing something into our possession, sometimes by force, sometimes by choice, sometimes through a victory of sorts.
If we remember that Holy Communion is a gift given to us by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, and if we remember that we partake of this holy Sacrament in remembrance of his great love for us, then it would be proper for us to receive this great gift humbly and with awe and reverence. I encourage you, therefore, to change your vocabulary around Communion.
Rather than seeing Communion as an object to be taken, begin to see and talk about Communion as a gift to be received. You receive this great gift of Christ’s Body and Blood just as you receive the love of God (or other gifts that are freely given).
And in your receiving Holy Communion, may you be drawn ever deeper into its mystery.
Blessings,
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