Communion

The first time I took communion, I was shattered by God’s goodness and the way he redeems the most difficult things in our history's.

I went to a Catholic school for part of my elementary education, but I wasn’t Catholic and wasn’t allowed to participate in communion. As a child, I didn’t understand why I was excluded. I just knew that I had been rejected.

Before I go on, I want to say that I know so many lovely Catholic people who are

warm and welcoming, and that I now know it was not the intention of my teachers

and peers to exclude me. However, this is an important part of the story- it was one

of the things that made me reject the idea of church and God and a life of faith

when I was a kid.

Fortunately, God doesn’t forget us, even when we reject him.

I had been attending church for a few months (as an adult) when the opportunity to take communion presented itself. At the church I attend, we have “roamers” who walk through the sanctuary to bring the elements to people who, for whatever reason, cannot come to the front of the church to take them. I had hid myself away for the most part during previous communion services. But on this particular Sunday, one of the roamers found me. They asked if I wanted to participate. In the small voice of the young girl who had once been rejected I said “I don’t think I’m allowed to.” The response was a balm to my soul “That may be true in some places, but in this community, if you are in a relationship with Jesus, if you feel like you want to be closer to him, if you want to remember and celebrate what he has done for you, then, you can take communion.” I nodded silently as those words sunk in and I lifted up a tiny plastic cup and a small square of white bread. I sat back in my seat behind a pillar alone and waited for everyone else to receive their bread and their cup, so we could all take them together.

Quietly, tears streamed down my face as I got a little piece of myself back. The piece that believed that something in me was rejectable and unwanted, was edged out by a bigger truth: that in God’s family I was beloved, included, and expected. I was acceptable, just as I was.

Since that first time, I have delighted in participating in communion, at church, with friends, in small group, wherever. Wherever communion is offered, I participate and I remember.

What is Communion?

Communion is first and foremost an act of remembrance, I think that it is also an act of celebration.

When we practice communion we remember Jesus’ sacrifice- his physical death on the cross- but because of when we are in history, we also get to remember his resurrection and look forward to his return.

Communion is a practice that takes ordinary things (bread, and wine [or juice depending on your tradition]), and elevates them to the level of the extraordinary. This is something that God does on a regular basis and when we pay attention, we begin to see this transformation everywhere.

Windows that let in the light, but protect us from harmful elements.

Blooms kept upright because of a penny at the bottom of the vase.

A seemingly common man who took on an unbearable burden to defeat death.

Communion is one of those things that people who aren’t followers of Jesus look at and think… that is a weird thing to do. And, yeah eating the body and drinking the blood of Jesus is a weird thought. But once you know what the symbolism of the experience is, it becomes a little less weird. And when I started to really think about communion I became even more enamoured of this practice because it not only unites us with Christ and with one another, but with all believers throughout time. The bread that is Jesus has never and will never run out, just like God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice is unending.

Practice time!

Different traditions have different rules for communion, so this isn’t a push to do this practice if you aren’t ready yet or if your tradition has a rule about when/who can practice. Some churches do communion every week, others once a month, and still others only on special occasions like Easter.

Check in with your local church about the whys of their choice, and try to participate when able. General rule for Communion in a church- try to follow along with the tradition that community observes, they have thought through what makes sense for their space, Jesus will meet you there, even if it’s different from the way you have done communion in other settings!

Below is a general outline for this practice and it’s one you can do when you’re not at church if you feel so inclined.

1. Gather the Communion elements (bread/wafer for Christ’s body) and wine/juice (for Christ’s blood)

2. Search your heart for unconfessed sin and confess your sin to God (1 John 1:9).

-->If there is unresolved conflict in your life, seek reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24)

3. Reflect on all Jesus did and went through to pay the penalty for your sin (1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

4. Eat the bread and drink the cup (which means, consume the elements)

5. Continue in prayer as the Holy Spirit leads and give thanks for the body and blood of the Lord that was shed for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Practicing communion is often done with a somber tone which acknowledges the enormity of Christ's sacrifice- if that feels right to you, right on! However, I’ve participated in a couple of Communion times that were jubilant- we even shouted “CHEERS!” when taking the cup! It was different- but it was an amazing reminder that Jesus’ sacrifice should be celebrated (like at Easter) because we know what happened afterwards, and there’s nothing more worth celebrating than the resurrection of Jesus! Maybe try this version with a group of friends?

Regardless of your tradition, I hope that you are able to participate in, and celebrate (!), communion.

Keep practicing,

What does your communion tradition look like? Let me know by email (meghanlamatthews@gmail.com) or on Instagram (@itsmeghanmatthews)