Saturday 18 March 2023

Background

Biblical scholars agree Paul’s letters were written before the gospels. This is the oldest surviving written account of the words of Jesus at the time of the Last Supper. The night is mentioned in verse 23. Also identified here are the four actions: taking, thanking, breaking and sharing (verses 24-25). These are central to the event and shared down the centuries, and are still crucial today.

Remembrance is also a key word in this account (verses 24-25). This brings to mind what took place. As Israel remembered the events of the Exodus from Egypt, Paul reminds the Church to remember what Jesus did on the cross. Linked with remembrance is covenant. Paul links the new covenant in the blood of Christ's offering with the blood of the old covenant at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:8).

More than remembering an event it is also personal. It's to understand what Jesus has done for each individual and that they too can stand under a new covenant. This isn’t just backward-looking, it faces the other way too. “Until he comes” in verse 26 is a proclamation looking forward to the fulfilment of the promises of the covenant in Christ’s return.

When I was a child, communion was added on to the normal worship service and many left, often because they felt unworthy. The reason included phrases like “Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (verse 28) which are found in many orders of service including the 1936 Methodist Order for communion. To encourage people to participate more, the1936 order has ‘comfortable words.’ This includes words from the gospels and letters.

Over recent decades the Church has done more to encourage comfort. The welcome to share communion is often stressed with people told it's open to all. To exclude children, as used to be the case, missed the point of welcome. Now, the welcome is inclusive regardless of age, nationality, colour and sexuality. The act of sharing in communion strengthens faith. The moment of receiving has for some individuals not only been a comfort, it has also brought them to faith.

To Ponder:

• How do you prepare for communion?
• How do you hold in balance comfort and self-examination?

 Prayer

Jesus, thank you for the new covenant. Help me to live in the knowledge of your love.