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To Sup with Jesus:
Comments on Celebrating the Lord's Supper
Jesus and his disciples sat around an intimate community table, enjoying wine
with lamb, and tasting unleavened bread with bitter herbs when Jesus performed
the Lord’s Supper. Today, Christians recreate this supper with the desire to
create an atmosphere which illuminates the presence of Jesus. Even though
Christians from most traditions regularly participate in the Eucharist, the
means of the supper’s dispersal vary and none really create the original. At
Westminster, we practice two forms of the Eucharist including service at the pew
and intinction, both of which offer Christian rituals that can strengthen the
faith of the communicant. No matter the method of administration, the Lord’s
Supper should remind us of Christ’s sacrifice, strengthen our individual faith
and that of the community of believers.
Traditionally, Presbyterians have practiced communing from the pew. A common
table is set up from which the minister leads the congregation through the
Lord’s Supper. In this service, the congregational pews become chairs at the
table where all commune together in the sanctuary. Elders, who have taken on the
role of church leadership, act as servants. Sometimes they serve the
congregation first and receive the elements last, signifying their willingness
to be humble servants of God. This parallels Luke 22:26 "The greatest among you
should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." In
other instances, the imagery of the large table is carried out even further,
where individuals are asked to keep first the bread, and secondly the wine until
all can partake of the meal at the same time. In this manner, the body of Christ
is fed at one time emphasizing the communal aspect of the Lord’s Supper.
The practice of intinction offers Christians a different kind of symbolism.
In this form of the ritual, individuals are asked to come forward to partake in
the sacrament of Holy Communion where they take a piece of the bread and dip it
into a common chalice. Use of the common chalice is a practice akin to sharing
food at a communal supper. Once individuals take the elements, they return to
their seats to watch and celebrate the supper of their fellow worshipers. This
style of communion emphasizes coming to the table, stressing an individual
declaration of faith that is implied when coming forward. These two forms of
communion are representative of numerous variations of the Lord’s Supper
performed by Jesus’ followers. While some communion traditions do not coincide
with our theology, the two styles of communion we use do support an
understanding. Different practices can help our spiritual growth. In the next
months as we partake in the Lord’s Supper, may we reflect on the original meal
instituted by Jesus and our role as communicants.
Christine Dempsey
Worship and Music Committee |
