United Methodists are seeking a richer experience in Holy Communion, often referred to as the Eucharist. This article explores the spiritual benefits received through regular participation in this sacred meal.
Forgiveness and Renewal:
Holy Communion begins with a call to confess our sins, both personal and communal. Trusting in God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9), we express repentance and receive absolution – the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed by the church (UMH, p. 8). This frees us from the burden of sin and empowers us to continue striving for a faithful life. John Wesley, a key figure in Methodism, wrote that the grace received in Communion strengthens us to "leave" our sins behind ("The Duty of Constant Communion," I.3).
Nourishment for the Soul's Journey:
The Christian life is a demanding one. Holy Communion offers spiritual nourishment, like food for the soul, enabling us to persevere and grow in holiness. Wesley compared it to "the food of our souls" that empowers us to fulfill our duties and progress towards spiritual perfection ("The Duty of Constant Communion," I.3). John 6:35 echoes this sentiment, with Jesus proclaiming Himself as "the bread of life" – a source of sustenance that satisfies our spiritual hunger. Regularly participating in Communion strengthens us repeatedly, allowing us to go forth as disciples, witnesses, and agents of reconciliation (UMH, p. 11).
Transformation into Christ's Image:
As we encounter Christ in Holy Communion, we are gradually shaped into His likeness. This isn't an instantaneous process, but a lifelong journey where God molds us into people driven by love and empowered to do His work. The identity and ministry bestowed upon us in baptism finds further expression as we are transformed into disciples who respond to God's love by loving God and others (Romans 12:1-2).
Healing for Ourselves and Others:
The word "sozo," the root of the Greek word for healing in the New Testament, also translates to "salvation" and "wholeness." Holy Communion offers spiritual healing that encompasses our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and even our physical well-being. The grace received at the Table makes us whole. This healing empowers us to bring wholeness to a broken world. The United Methodist Book of Worship aptly describes this as God's work of restoring balance, harmony, and wholeness in individuals, communities, and the world (UMH, p. 613). Holy Communion can be a powerful tool for this healing ministry (UMH, pp. 615-623).
Empowered for Ministry and Mission:
The grace received at the Lord's Table equips us to carry out His work in the world – a work of redemption, reconciliation, peace, and justice (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Through Communion, we become aware of the needs of others and our responsibility towards them. We express Christ's compassion through acts of kindness and care for those we encounter daily. The vows taken in baptism remind us of the freedom and power God gives us to fight injustice and oppression in all their forms (UMH, p. 34). However, as the prayer of confession acknowledges, we often fall short of these vows (UMH, p. 8). Inspired by the revolutionary spirit of Jesus, we are called to challenge unjust practices and systems that perpetuate inequality and discrimination (Matthew 23; Luke 4:16-21; 14:7-11).
A Promise of Eternal Life:
Ultimately, the loving God we meet at the Table offers us the gift of eternal life. John's account of the Eucharist (John 6:25-58) highlights this connection when Jesus declares, "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day" (John 6:54). This life in union with Christ transcends physical death. It signifies a dynamic and loving relationship with Christ, here and now, grounded in the everlasting love of God who reaches out to us through the sacraments.
As Charles Wesley beautifully expresses in a hymn, "O Thou who this mysterious bread didst in Emmaus break, return, herewith our souls to feed, and to thy followers speak" (The United Methodist Hymnal, 613).
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