Seriously Rethinking Communion

I have never heard the audible voice of God. I long to, don't get me wrong, but unlike many who claim to have heard this or that from the Lord I must humbly admit that the Lord has never spoken to me in an obvious or audible way. I do, however, occasionally feel something tugging at my soul. This 'thing' always appears to be 'tugging' me towards the Lord, so I choose to attribute it to the Holy Spirit. I would not go so far as to say "the Holy Spirit has laid this on my heart," which appears to be a common sentiment these days. Maybe that is the case, but for the time being I am choosing to remain a bit more reserved.

Lately, I have felt a bit of tugging. This has been going on for about six months and I have been responding to it at a snail's pace. That which I believe I am being tugged towards is a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Sacrament that we call Holy Communion, the Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper.

Personally, I have only ever experienced what I would currently consider a pretty watered-down version of Communion. I consume a quarter ounce of grape juice from a small plastic cup after consuming an especially tiny and flavorless cracker. Perhaps this is what the Lord had in mind on the eve of His betrayal, but I have to doubt that.

I'm also grappling with the traditional Communion ideas regarded as transubstantiation versus consubstantiation versus simple symbolism. I have been raised to believe that the cracker and grape juice I consume are simply symbols that serve as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. I cannot say I disagree with that, but I'm currently entertaining the switch to a transubstantiation theology that posits the bread and juice literally become the flesh and blood of Christ upon consecration. At first this concept sounded more than a bit strange to me, but I believe I am beginning to understand it. This is the prevailing Communion theology of the Roman Catholic Church and can be traced back to the early church members.

With all of that being said, I am still working some things out. If you are reading this then I would absolutely love to know what you think. One thing I have absolutely made up my mind about is that I certainly have not previously shown this sacred ritual the respect it deserves. For the foreseeable future I will opt out of the grape juice and miniature cracker corporate version of the sacrament in exchange for actual wine and warm bread with a small group of fellow believers in a more intimate setting.

I hope you will read and carefully consider the notes I have compiled below during recent studies. At the very end you will find how I currently intend to practice Holy Communion going forward. I would love to know what you think. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I love you and I pray God's blessing for you.

Transubstantiation

The conversion of the substance of the Eucharistic elements into the body and blood of Christ at consecration, only the appearances of bread and wine still remaining (especially in the Roman Catholic Church).

Personal Thoughts

That which we consume is that which sustains us. All that we consume is literally digested by our flesh and it becomes a part of our living bodies. In like manner, but both literally and spiritually, it is the earthly, physical, bodily manifestation of the Christ in flesh & His blood that was spilled for our redemption that sustains us for eternity. He is truly the bread of life.

In recognizing and receiving the Eucharist we are accepting and honoring the sacrifice that Christ made in order to save us from our sin. We are physically consuming His gift and welcoming His lordship.

For the Christ follower, approaching the Holy Communion table is much like approaching the Holy of Holies. We are extremely encouraged to approach the table blameless and without judgement against our neighbors.

Matthew 26:26-30 NKJV

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:22-26 NKJV

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭14‬-‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 NKIV

Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

Blessing the Bread

During the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, Jesus would have used traditional Jewish blessings over the bread and wine. These blessings have been passed down through Jewish tradition and are still used today. For the bread, specifically, the blessing Jesus likely used is known as the "Hamotzi," a blessing over bread that is eaten at the beginning of a meal.

In Hebrew, the blessing over the bread goes as follows:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.

Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz.

Translation: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

This blessing acknowledges God as the source of all nourishment and the sustainer of life, thanking Him for the provision of bread. It is a central element of Jewish meals and highlights the importance of gratitude and recognition of God's providence in daily life. Given that Jesus and his disciples were observing the Passover, which includes a meal (the Seder) with specific rituals and blessings, it is highly likely that such traditional blessings were part of their observance.

Blessing the Wine

For the wine during the Last Supper, Jesus would have used the traditional Jewish blessing over the wine, known as the "Birkat HaGafen." This blessing is recited before drinking wine or grape juice at a Jewish meal, especially during Sabbath and festivals, including Passover, which is when the Last Supper took place.

The blessing over the wine in Hebrew is:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.

Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech ha'olam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Translation: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

This blessing, like the one over bread, is an expression of gratitude to God for creating the fruits of the earth, in this case, the grapes from which wine is made. Wine has a significant role in Jewish ritual and celebration, symbolizing joy and sanctification. During the Passover Seder, wine is drunk four times, each cup representing different themes of redemption and freedom. While it's not specified how many times wine was consumed at the Last Supper, the blessing Jesus would have used reflects the deep-rooted tradition of acknowledging God's providence and the symbolism of wine in Jewish and, subsequently, Christian ritual.

How I currently plan to practice Holy Communion going forward.

Prior to the practice, share personal thoughts and offer a moment for reflection, repentance, forgiveness, and praise.

1. Recite: With fervent desire I have desired to share this Holy Communion with you.

2. Presents bread (leavened and unleavened) and wine.

3. Blessing of the bread: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

4. Recite: After He had blessed the bread, Jesus gave the bread to His disciples and he said to them, “*Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”*

5. Breaking of the bread followed by the sharing of the bread.

6. Blessing of the wine: Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

7. Recite: After He had blessed the wine, Jesus gave the wine to His disciples and he said to them, “*Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”*

8. Pouring of the wine followed by the sharing of the wine.

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