Thinx 37: Something to say when leading communion

In the first communion, Jesus took food and drink and gave them spiritual significance. These are not 'elements', this bread and this wine / juice. They are food.

Why do we eat and drink? To stay alive. We eat and we drink and our bodies digest the solids and the fluids and use the proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to, as they say, 'keep body and soul together.'

In the communion we are reminded that Jesus is for us true food and true drink. We are encouraged to remember that when we eat and drink physical foodstuffs, we also need to eat and drink of Jesus; taking into our hearts and minds those things that will keep our spiritual life strong and lead us into greater spiritual maturity.

If we fail to do that, we become weak. It is said that '7 days without prayer makes one weak.' I'd add '... and meditation', for prayer is out-going -- we talk to God, asking for things (for the meaning of the word 'pray' is 'ask'). Meditation is in-coming -- we listen to God, reading, and if reading aloud, hearing his words, mulling over them and seeking to understand their every nuance. This is listening to God through his word. This is the eating and drinking of the real food and real drink.

If you have no desire for intimacy with God through Jesus Christ, or having the desire, do not wish to act upon it now, let the food pass you by. But be warned: every refusal cements into your character the habit of refusal. However, life here on earth is short and full of trouble. Who knows when you will pass this way again? Perhaps you will not be given another opportunity to choose. Where you spend eternity rests on the choices made here and now.

the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.

-- 1 Corinthians 11:23b-27