Have we made communion too religious?
The command Jesus gave was to do this in remembrance of him.
What was he wanting his disciples to do? What was he wanting us to do?
Was he asking some of us to take on his authority and lead a ceremony?
Was what he did at that last supper a ceremony?
There was ceremony involved in the Passover feast.
God had told Moses what was to be eaten, and how it was to be prepared and how those participating were to dress.
But did Jesus imply a similar ceremony in the sharing of communion amongst Christians for the coming ages?
Was the table of the last supper an altar?
Was a sacrifice made at that original meal?
Were those present reverent?
Were they dressed in a particular way?
Did they each bow as they received the portion of bread and a share in the cup?
Did Jesus have to quieten those present to concentrate on what he was sharing?
Would a live video of the actual last supper surprise us in how different it may have been to what we practice today? Or would it surprise us in its similarity?
Was Jesus wearing priestly garments? Was he praying for the elements to be transformed by the Holy Spirit?
Were those who shared in the bread and cup deeply reassured of their salvation at that time?
Was Jesus’ physical presence with them valued in the way it ought to have been? Or, unlike the transfiguration event, was his appearance ordinary and humble, with those present having an unclear or, at best, incomplete understanding of the significance of that meal?
What do we do today that gets in the way of what we are meant to experience and proclaim in the sharing of communion?
What do we do today that supports the sharing and proclamation of the true message of the communion meal?
How do we recognise the body of the Lord at communion? Is it the bread, or is it the gathered believers?
How do we enter an appropriate posture of reverence, and attitude of gratitude, inspite of distractions when we share communion?
Does the act of sharing in communion help us internalise the grace of God in a way that the inspired word of God alone, cannot?
Does the office of priesthood truly confer authenticity to the transformation of the elements, and thus guarantee God’s physical presence to us in receiving communion?
Or does God preside, despite our mode of sharing this meal (for better or for worse)?
Who is truly free to partake of this meal? Who forfeits this invitation?
Is there a minimum age to share in communion?
Was Judas stopped from sharing in the cup?
Did sharing in the cup affect his decision to betray Jesus?
I may be implying some of the answers to these questions, but I would rather ask you to consider the questions honestly.
Unfortunately, the way we share communion tends to divide us in the Christian world.
I disclose my bias, that I do believe in leadership and eldership in the church, but I do not believe in a clergy/laity divide.
