Some reflections on Holy Communion

            A few years ago, when I had been in Cameroon for three weeks, I remember being on one of the flights home and feeling the absence of the sacrament during those weeks.  Seeing as there was a dinner roll and a mini bottle of wine served with dinner, I found myself silently saying the words of institution and then “the body of Christ given for you” and “the blood of Christ shed for you.”  It was strength for the journey that I seemed to need after some stressful and tiring weeks.

            Ideally, however, this is not how the Eucharist is meant to be celebrated.  It is not to be separated from the Word (although I did read my daily devotions on the same flight), and it is a communal meal.  Sometimes, though, circumstances are such that the sacrament is received away from the larger community of believers.  And so, even though I wasn’t physically with a community of believers that was celebrating the Lord’s Supper, I was spiritually connected to the communion of saints in all times and all places.

            These days, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues, many are also feeling the absence of the sacrament.  Many of us have been taught to receive the Eucharist as often as possible.  Even in the midst of the plague in 1527, Luther advised people to receive the sacrament every week if they can, and to go no longer than two weeks without.  As I mentioned last month, worship continued during the plague, including the celebration of Holy Communion.  That may well have changed, however, if they had a better understanding of how the plague spread.

            At the same time, there are many people who, through no fault of their own, have gone long periods without the sacrament.  Over the years, those in isolated communities who didn’t have a pastor often had to wait until a pastor could come to receive the  Lord’s Supper.  In many cases, this wouldn’t happen more than once or twice a year.

            It is also true that we can have a spiritual communion with God without celebrating the sacrament at all.  This is possible through certain types of prayer and meditation, while continuing to hear and to read the Word of God to nourish our souls.

            Most of us have been engaging in a “Eucharistic fast” ever since the last time we gathered together in person for worship.  At the same time, some have found other ways to celebrate communion at home.  Some of you are also aware of other congregations who have celebrated communion online.

            You may have seen some of the images from churches in Europe where the sacrament is offered using masks and gloves.  There is at least one church in Germany where they used every recommended precaution and still had 40 Covid-19 cases traced back to one worship service.  Hence, it may still be some time before we can gather for anything resembling a “normal” worship service.

            Over the next little while, there will still be periods of time where we will refrain from receiving the sacrament.  However, we will also be celebrating online communion on Pentecost Sunday (May 31st).  There is no one right way to approach the sacrament in the midst of a pandemic.  And so, whether you physically receive it or not, please know that you are loved and forgiven and raised to new life through Jesus Christ our Lord.            

In Christ,            

Pastor Lynne Hutchison