Eat and Drink

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

I grew up in the Catholic church, so at the age of eight, I began receiving communion at least once a week depending on how many times we went to Mass.  There’s no doubt that over the years, I have taken communion for granted.

Even as an adult, worshipping in the Lutheran church, I don’t always stop to think about what I’m doing.  Once a month, I get up when instructed, eat the bread, drink the wine and sit back down.  Am I humbling myself before taking on the body and blood of Christ?  No.

Imagine what it must have been like for the disciples to receive their friend’s offering.  How special that meal must have been!  But because we weren’t there when Jesus broke the bread and took the cup, we may feel like we aren’t experiencing the same supper that Peter, John and the others did.  But we are!

Every time we accept the bread and wine, Jesus is with us.  Catholics and Lutherans believe that during communion, the bread IS Jesus’s body and the wine his blood.  They are not symbols, but the real deal.  That’s why it’s so important that we take time to pause and acknowledge what’s happening.  We are taking on Jesus.  He is becoming part of us and we are experiencing Him in a way that’s uniquely different than reading the Bible or praying.  This sacramental encounter has the power to transform us like no other.  We must not take it for granted.

Father, thank you for giving us your Son who died and offered us his body and blood.  May we remember how precious a gift the Eucharist is and acknowledge your presence.  “For when we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again” (Liturgy of the Eucharist).  Amen