|
Holy Communion (also called the
Eucharist or Breaking of Bread) is the Sacrament of
bread and wine instituted by Jesus himself at the Last
Supper. The Church of England defines a sacrament as “an
outward and physical sign of an inward and spiritual
grace.”
There are various aspects to
Communion:
-
Thanksgiving (Eucharist
is from the Greek word for Thanksgiving) for the
death of Jesus.
-
Remembrance: a vivid
calling to mind of Jesus and his death.
-
Proclamation of Jesus’
death until he comes again.
-
Participation in the
body and blood of Jesus.
Some Christians see Communion as
just a powerful visual aid. Others believe that there is
a supernatural change in the bread and wine
(transubstantiation). However the Church of England
believes that when we worthily receive the bread and
wine (which remain simply bread and wine) in penitence
and faith, we spiritually feed on Christ and so receive
spiritual strength and sustenance.
It is important therefore that we
prepare ourselves carefully for taking Communion:
-
Examining ourselves to see if
there is any unconfessed sin in our lives
-
Realising the solemnity of
Communion.
-
Focusing our attention on
Jesus.
The Church of England makes it
clear that only those who receive the bread and wine
“worthily, and with faith” feed on Christ and “the mean
by whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in
the supper, is Faith.” It adds that those who take
Communion without a living faith, do not feed on Christ,
but rather dishonour God (Articles 28 & 29 of the 39
Articles of Religion).
If you wish to take Communion in
the Church of England, you need to be confirmed by the
Bishop, after a preparation course.
However, the church welcomes full
communicant members of other Christian denominations as
guests at Communion. |
