On Celebrating the “Lord’s Supper”
My mother was not unique among mothers in requiring us, her children, to wash our hands before we sat down to eat. There must be some special insight that mothers have in order to know, even without examination, that hands need to be washed! And mothers were not alone. The teachers in our rural school also insisted on hand-washing. One of the older students labored arduously (and proudly) to produce water from the creaky outdoor pump or in freezing weather presided over a water bucket and dipper. Washing before we came to the table was just a given.
When we come to the Lord’s Table—or differing faith communities may say, “observe the Eucharist,” or “receive Communion”—there are aspects of getting ready. Sufficient spiritual preparation is expected of Roman Catholic and Orthodox believers prior to receiving Holy Communion, sacramentally confessing any grave, deliberate sin. In Anglican and Episcopalian practice, it is “required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.” Lutherans are taught to prepare to receive this sacrament through prayerful reflection upon their sinful nature, their need for a Savior, and the promise that their sins are forgiven for the sake of Jesus' death on the Cross. In Methodism, the table is “open,” that is, made available to all people, reflected in the general invitation, "Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another." Presbyterian and other Reform Protestant churches urge “ . . . examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.” There are many other beliefs too, including that of the Quakers who do not use any physical elements at all, their silence indicating communion with the Lord and fellowship with one another.
Clearly, the various traditions differ widely in defining what happens at the Table, who may participate, and what happens afterwards. The common thread in these instructions, however, is something like my mother’s admonition: “Wash before you come to the Table.” The prayer of King David is appropriate at this time, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 KJV) Preparation to receive this remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice for us is not only about our relationship with Him, although that is supremely important. In many of the practices outlined above, those who participate are also to examine their relationship with others. The greatest commandment, the Scripture tells us, is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. “The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:31 NLT) Jesus Himself demonstrated the right attitude for us, humbly taking a servant’s place and washing each disciple’s feet—even the feet of Judas whom He knew would betray Him only a few hours later. “What I have done, you should do for each other,” He explained. Although a few groups follow Jesus’ example literally and conduct a ceremony of actually washing each other’s feet, we all, at the very least, are to have the same quality of loving and serving others.
If you are in a faith community that observes this sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, think the next time of the meaning of participation. And what if, on examination, one finds he/she is lacking readiness? Although the centuries-old wording sounds strange in these times, I love what one tradition expresses in their catechism.
“One who doubts of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God's account has it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity: in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief, and labor to have his doubts resolved; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord's Supper, that he may be further strengthened." (Answer, question 172, “The Westminster Larger Catechism,” 1648, emphasis mine)
The message of inclusion is clear: Come to the Table. Wash your hands on the way.
MaryMartha
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Scripture marked KJV is from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Scripture quotation marked NLT is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.
Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com
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