As with all aspects of
church life, which is organic, flowing from living relationship with God, the
Communion experience is an illustration of the Trinitarian Community. Reading of Scripture shows that God the
Father is “food” to God the Son (Matthew 4:4;
John 4:31; 6:27,57). There is no
mentioning of the Lord’s Supper meal in the Gospel of John, only footwashing,
and the challenge of Christ to eat the bread which is God in chapter 6 is “in
place” of it. In turn, God the Son is
“food” to us (John 1:29; 6:27; 32-35,
53-57) He is also a “drink” for all
(John 4:10; 6:53; 1st Corinthians 10:4; 12:13;
Revelation 22:17).
From theology I’ll move into a practical application. Just as God shares all aspects of His
activity in three Revelations, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, where
co-participation flows, it is at the Communion table that we see this image of
co-participation through eating, drinking and humility. We enact divine
participation in the Triune God and make it visible on the earth.
This supper we come to celebrate today is rooted in an
eternal activity within God. This Supper
transcends time. It is a re-proclamation
of the Lord’s sacrificial death in the past.
It is re-declaration of His ever-abiding nearness with us in the
present. It is a re-pronouncement of our
hope of glory – His coming in the future.
This Lord’s Supper is a living testimony to the three chief virtues:
Faith, Hope, Love.
Through co-partaking of God and co-participating with each
other we reground ourselves in the glorious salvation that is our only by
faith. We reexpress our love for each
other as we stand united in one Body. We
rejoice in the hope of Christ’s soon return.
In history two extremes exist – Catholics see it as a
literal sacrifice ritual, Protestants reacted by considering it only a
commemorative symbol. Yet, it is more
than a symbol and more than a sacrifice – it is a living reality, of
experiencing the Mystery of the Holy Spirit through partaking and participating
literal emblems, by which we reaffirm and are reaffirmed in Christ and
membership in His Body, the Bride, the Church.
Welcome to the Experience today!
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