Years ago, I was the organist at the local Anglican Parish. In those days, there were two Holy Communion services at separate churches each Sunday. 8 am, at one, 9.30 am at the other. It was a case of grab a very quick cuppa between services, and fly in the door at the second church ready to go! Then there was a proper cuppa, with whatever goodies had been brought, and unless there was another service planned, the Rector and I could sit down and relax!
The high point of each service was the Lord’s supper, Eucharist, Holy Communion. And I got to partake twice on Sunday. But I never really appreciated it. It was just part of the hustle and bustle. Till two things happened.
First, our Parish Priest left. This was not unusual, they just move on to another parish. But we went months without a regular one. We had to do with just lay preachers, who did their best, and led the service admirably. We had the hymns, the prayers, and the fellowship with each other, we really did worship. But no Lord’s supper. Then arrangements were made with the Priest of a neighbouring parish, that he would bless the elements for us, and we did an “extended communion” service, so we could still get the bread and the wine every month or so, and occasionally a visiting Priest would be arranged and we would do the whole service.
Boy! Was it wonderful when that happened! I don’t think any of us realised how much we had taken the availability of the Eucharist for granted, and we appreciated the blessed elements, and the visits from the Priest SO much.
Then, I broke my ankle and spent three months in hospital! The lay clergy turned up, a Priest turned up, and I LOVED it. The Eucharist was so important to me. And then when I came home, my visits to church were sporadic, so they still brought Communion to me. I even had it given to me by the Bishop, and such a humble man I have yet to meet. That Communion was extra special.
The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul unto 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 Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
These words, or something very similar, have been used in the Holy Communion service for many years. But going without for a time, made me really listen to the words. This was the sign of the new covenant, the sign of God’s grace, reconciling us to Him. The body and blood of Christ. The bread and the wine. A holy meal indeed.
What before I took for granted, now really means something so special to me. Words cannot express what I feel, this is so deep. This really is communion with God. No wonder the Lord’s Supper is the climax of the service!
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
These words can be used by the Priest, or the lay person distributing the sacrament.
A prayer that is often said before partaking of Communion is called the Prayer of Humble Access: We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
There it is again. The body and blood of Christ.
In John 6, Jesus said:…. “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
There we have it, Jesus commands us. We must eat His flesh and drink His blood. This is life to us. His flesh and blood. The bread and the wine. Holy food. Spiritually and metaphorically. Without Christ, there is no life.
Light of Christ 