Tag: communion

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening,  Psalm 94:

Genesis 49:29 to 50:14; 1^st Corinthians 11:17 to 34; Mark 8:1 to 10:

“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (1Corinthians 11:23 – 24)

In the Synoptic Gospels we learn about how our Lord Jesus wants us to remember Him, as well as here in 1^st Corinthians, where Paul reports how our Lord Jesus gives us the image of how he wants us to remember Him: by the bread and the cup.

It was the bread and wine, the body and blood, that was missing by not being able to attend Church during the onset of Covid sis years ago. I never thought I, or anybody, would lose Church attendance for Lent, but we did. I missed it as did as did all of our flock.  As we began to come back to Church, we did so without Holy Communion. Later we resumed with bread only. Then, even later we returned with both kinds but there is a difference now. Now we come to the rail to receive the bread and then some elect to receive wine by intinction (dipping of the bread into the cup) while others receive directly from the chalice, each as they are comfortable. It makes no difference, at least we have it back.

Yielding to change for the sake of safety makes sense. We again receive the body and blood as commanded by our Lord Jesus. But we are using reason, one of the legs of the three-legged stool (of Scripture, Tradition, and Reason) as introduced by Richard Hooker, the 17^th Century Anglican Priest. We are a reasonable people who find ways to fulfill our Christ-given destiny of eternal life.

Today we remember Patrick of Ireland, (March 17, 461),  and his information may be found at:  St. Patrick

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Dear Lord Jesus, as you are made known to us in the bread and wine consecrated in remembrance of you, be in us each week as we then are in you. Let our weekly intake of you sustain us to do those things that are pleasing in your sight, that, fortified by your body and blood, we will walk in your ways always.  Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 22: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:145 to 176; Evening, Psalms 128, 129 and 130;
2^nd Kings 22:14 to 23:3; 1 Corinthians 11:23 to 34; Matthew 9:9 to 17:

In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me:” (1^st Corinthians 11:25).

My blog post of two days ago, (Monday, 6 October), was all about the importance of the Bread and the Cup of Christ.  I mentioned the references from our Book of Common Prayer.  However the actual words for the consecration of bread and wine come from our 1^st Corinthians reading for today. I now revisit my point about the wine and how we, as Christians, are to receive it in the Name of Christ.

In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Paul ensures that we understand the importance the cup, not only in the Church assembled, but also whenever, and wherever, we partake of it. Paul says this is what was handed on to him from the apostles, apostles who walked with our Lord Jesus. So this is not so much about Paul himself, but rather Peter, John and James and others. It is what our Lord Jesus asked us to do as the way of remembering him.

It seems however, we are a death centered people who prefer the cross as the way we want to remember our Lord Jesus.  We also chose the fish, I guess because of the fisherman he told to follow him and that he would make them catchers of people. But our Lord himself asked to be remembered by the cup, and, individually, as often, as we drink it, in remembrance of him.

I know this is difficult for those of us who have problems with alcohol (and it was real wine). I personally believe our self-care should come first.  However, I think wine during the time of Jesus was a regular dinner affair. I am not promoting the drinking of wine. I am simply bringing to our attention what I have pondered regarding what our Lord Jesus asked of us.

With the frequency of meals, not only Communion at Church gatherings, but meals in our homes and refreshments at other social events, our Lord Jesus has worked in a way for us to raise his Name. Who knows what impact such a witness might have in promoting the following of Jesus, and the catching of people?  Again, I think a spoken, “Thank You Lord Jesus,” as we are about to partake of it will do nicely.

Today we remember William Dwight Porter Bliss, Priest, October 8, 1926 and Richard Theodore Ely, Economist, October 4, 1943; and their information may be found at: William Bliss & Richard Theodore Ely.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 834)

Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread [and in the Cup]; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 22: Year C

Morning, Psalm 106:1-18; Evening, Psalm 106:19-48:
2 Kings 21:1-18; 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1; Matthew 8:28-34

“Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1^st Corinthians 10:17)

The breaking of bread and the cup of wine shared, is the most significant part of our Sunday worship. Paul speaks of our sharing this meal as symbolic of our obedience to Christ who said for us to do this as often as we come together in His Name.

In my own personal study of bread as it was handed down to the Christian Church from the Hebrew tradition, albeit unleavened, bread was handed down even to the Hebrews from the Egyptians while they were in captivity. To make bread requires wheat farms and an oven for baking. Perhaps the Hebrews adopted the appetite for bread while in captivity. In any case, as we come together at the Altar to receive the Body of Christ we are one with Christ. Getting us to where we are through Egypt and the Hebrew tradition has been, and continues to be, God’s plan for us through Jesus Christ.

Who knew that captivity would lead to liturgy? God, of course. And we are still being formed. Maybe, just maybe, a little personal private time set aside as if in captivity, to just ponder, might open us to more of where God is leading us. This bread is food for thought.

Today Our Church remembers William Tyndale, Translator of the Bible (October 6 1536)  and his information may be found at: William Tyndale & Miles Coverdale

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 834)

Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.