HOLY COMMUNION: Cannibalism or Symbolism?
INTRODUCTION
The words of our Priest father Jose' of Lubengele Parish still echo in my head as he consecrated the Eucharist during mass, "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Revelation19:9)
(balishuka abo abaitwa kumitebeto yamfumu) at that time I didn't even know that these words are taken from the Bible in Revelation.
This part of the mass was heart breaking for me. Everything else during mass I participated from reciting prayers to kneeling down and standing up. But during the Eucharist I felt excluded.
The words "blessed are those who are invited..." in my head played back as "cursed are those who are not invited...." I felt excluded.
Of course it was my fault that I failed to be consistent in attending cachism classes so that I could be baptized and confirmed in the Church.
In this article I will endeavor by the grace of God to look at different approaches to the Holy Communion and present the spiritual significance of celebrating the Lord's supper.
1.ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH APPROACH
Trunsubstantiation
The followers of Jesus Christ were accused of many things;
(i) They were accused of incest because they married sisters in the Lord.
(ii) They were accused of drunkardness because they were filled in the Holy Spirit.
(iii) They were accused of cannibalism because they ate the flesh and drunk the blood of Jesus Christ.
The Roman Catholic Church's view is Trunsubstantiation. This view states that the bread and wine when consecrated actually become the actual body and blood of Jesus.
Though the elements remain the same the partake eats and drinks of the actual body of Jesus Christ.
Stories of those who partook of the eucharist in unworthy manner blood would be dropping in their houses. Of course this is superstition but it spoke of the Roman catholic view of the Holy communion.
2. THE LUTHERAN APPROACH
Consubstantiation
Martin Luther held the view that Christ's body and blood are substantially present when bread and wine is consecrated, though the physical appearance of the elements remain the same. In other words Christ's body and blood is present in, with and under in the bread and wine.
3. The Protestant Approach
Memorial/Commemoration
In the Protestant approach the bread and wine in the Holy communion is simply symbolic and spiritual rather than the physical presence of Christ.
4. CALVINIST/REFORMED APPROACH
Mystical /Spiritual Communion
The body and blood of Jesus are only present in a spiritual sense through the Holy Spirit.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HOLY COMMUNION TO A BELIEVER TODAY.
"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they sewed fig leaves coverings" (Genesis 3:6-7)
The first sin that Adam and Eve committed had to do with eating. In Genesis 3:6-7 when they ate of the forbidden fruit the Bible says the eyes of both were opened, and saw their nakedness.
"Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then the eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
(Luke 24:30-31)
In Genesis 3, when they ate the fruit their eyes opened and they saw their own nakedness. Nakedness speaks of shame, and shame comes as a result of sin. An innocent child would run out of the house completely naked without any shame because they are innocent. But an adult would be ashamed if found naked.
Eating opens eyes. In Genesis after eating they saw shame, while in Luke after eating their eyes opened and they saw the glory of God. Watch what you are eating because some food will bring death, but life comes by eating of the bread of life.
Sin came through eating. Where Adam failed, Christ achieved by giving us his body and blood.
Going back to Father Jose' in Lubengele Parish I reflect at that moment how I felt, excluded! God's design from the beginning was to create a people with whom he would enjoy fellowship. We are called to a life of communion with God.
"I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I will drink it new with you in my father's kingdom" (Matthew 26:29)
Participation in the Holy Communion is joining in the proclamation of Christ death till he returns.
As father Jose' repeated "blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb" he is looking forward and pointing us to the eschatological reality breaking bread together with God in eternity.
I felt excluded at Lubengele Parish but it was not their fault but mine. Who is qualified to come to the Lord's table? Might be a question on your mind right now.
The answer is; everyone who believes in Jesus Christ can participate in the Holy communion. In Holy communion we draw together in unity in God's presence.
In Participating in the communion we look backwards at the accomplished work of Christ, "do this in remembrance of me" and we look forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ when we shall drink of the vine anew in eternity.
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