COMMUNION

Recently, I thought of a new way for me to try and study the word of God. Journaling my thoughts about scripture is something that I always try to do, but, depending upon the text, I don't always have input. So I'm trying a different approach. I've always been fascinated with the practice of Communion, and to learn more about it in scripture, I've decided to write a research paper on it. A paper that probably will never be graded, or seen by anyone else but me, but I just know that when it comes to keeping my own attention, I always have to be searching for something.

As one who grew up in the Church, when I think of Communion, I think of little cracker-like wafers that taste like cardboard, and the disappointment of there never being enough grapejuice in those tiny little plastic cups to wash out the bitterly-bland and repugnant taste of a Keebler Elf nightmare of a cracker. While participating in this under-fashioned of a tradition, a leader in the Church would read from one of the gospels about how Jesus broke bread declaring that it was his body, given for us; and then passing the cup, asserting that it was his blood, spilled for the sins of many...

What does the term Communion mean? In modern-day language, Merriam Webster would say that communion is: an act or instance of sharing; A Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ's death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ; intimate fellowship or rapport.... The greek word used in the original text that the New Testament was written in was - koinōni - partnership, that is, (literally) participation; social intercourse; pecuniary benefaction:(to) communicate (-ation), communion, distribution, fellowship.

I could go on and on with what I've found, but keeping things simple with definitions is satisfactory enough for me through this open internet medium. Plus, my hands are a bit tired of writing, so I'll spare them...



Sadly, we believe that the picture of Communion is solely confined to the Lord's Supper, and the partaking of bread and fruit from the vine. But Communion is much more deeper than that. Communion doesn't end when the bread has been consumed and the cup emptied, that's not what Christ was talking about. We consecrate special services in honor of the event that took place; which, I share the opinion that these occasions are important and essential when looking back at the purity of a life that was given up for us. But at the table, a picture perfect sacrifice sat with those who didn't deserve the debt he was going to pay for them... for us... And at the table sat men from all different walks of life. Men like Simon the zealot who most likely argued with Matthew who worked for the Roman government, men who probably disagreed on multiple issues; flawed, fragile, and broken men. But they all had one thing in common, and that was Christ= And that is Communion!!! The sharing in the door that Christ opened up for us together. Don't you get it! Communion isn't ONLY a religious sacrament, but it's a life lived even unto eternity when this life is over! Communion should take place everyday of our lives with God; feasting and dining in his presence. Communion should also take place between the fellowship of believers, and those believers desiring to bring in those who have yet to share in this fellowship.

But let us not forget what happened just a few hours after Jesus broke the bread and passed the cup to his disciples.....They abandoned him..... Communion was broken... They willingly and conscientiously decided to get away from the one who wanted to share with them. So Communion was broke between them... When was it restored? I believe it was restored when they obeyed Christ, and waited on the power of the Holy Spirit, who brought them together once again.....Communion was restored...

In closing, do I think Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper is an accurate picture of Communion? Yes, I certainly do. And whenever that sacrament occurs in my Church, I will share in it gladly.... But I think that the picture of the Last Supper portrays Communion just as much as a picture of Acts 2 would... In Acts 2, after the Holy Spirit came, and the apostles began preaching boldly, and 3,000 people were added to the believers: All the believers proceeded to sell their possessions. They met in homes, sharing everything they had, giving to one other as each had need. Together, they dedicated themselves to the Apostles teaching, and the study of the scriptures...


I think if my dream of leading a Church plant comes true one day, I'd like to call it "Communion Church" ...Okay, you talked me into it, I'll tell you our 'mantra'
"Establishing Communion With God, Each Other, And Our Community."

I'm a dreamer, cut me some slack...............