"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf."What is communion? For my tradition one type of communion is where some crackers or wafers are shared together with some grape juice. Just a little nibble of a bread like substance, and a little sip of a wine like substance.
Communion also speaks of our relationship with one another.
Of course the communion or Lord's supper practice has a deeper meaning that goes along with this strange custom. We remember Christ's body that was sacrificed for us. We remember that we are part of His living body today. It is usually a quiet solemn time of repentance and prayer.
The early church followed Jesus' command and example of coming together and breaking bread together as a time to remember Jesus. It seems it was usually a full meal, and was often called a love feast.
Why Bread? Well bread was the standard food of substance for that culture. Jesus is the bread of life. He is what sustains and gives life to His followers.
So what if Jesus had come to some Asian culture? Would he have shared rice with his followers instead?
What if he came to one of our homes on Thanskgiving weekend? (This weekend for us Canadians eh?) Would Jesus have made a connection between sharing potatoes and turkey as a way to remember our shared life together, and all that He has shared with us?
What do you think? Have we created some religious symbols and traditions but lost some of the context? In what ways do we participate in the body of Christ as we eat together?
When we gather around a meal with potatoes, can we remember Christ's body? Can we remember His body sacrificed for us? Can we remember that we are now all members of His living body and participating together for His work and His kingdom?
What do you think? Am I being too sacrilegious?
What did Jesus really mean with this activity (recorded in 1 Cor 11:23 - 26), and what did he really want us to do to remember him?
I'd love you hear your thoughts.
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