5 October 2022 Anno Domini
the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
“And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:” Luke 22:12-15 (KJV)
Most of our readers will remember the early days of childhood when our mothers called us to supper. My brother and I used to play in a large woods area near our house and sometimes ranged quite far from the house; but we could hear our mother calling to come to supper very easily from that distance. We were two rambunctious boys, and sometimes we did not answer right away. But mother had a rule of three calls. On that third call, we had best be headed for home.
Supper was always a special treat. It came at a time when the heat of the day was cooling, we were all tired either from work or play, and we were hungry for sure! We always ate together as a family regardless of the meal – breakfast lunch, or supper – but supper was the time when all joined together in the most delightful fellowship – mother, father, five sisters, and my brother and I. My fondest family memories go back to that supper table which always consisted of bread, milk, many different vegetables, and often chicken or fish. The warmth of the company added zest to our appetites. What a blessing it would be for me to hear my mother’s voice today calling me to come to supper. At mother’s table, like that of the Lord, love overruled judgment, and Supper was only eaten at home, not usually on the road.
In those days, most all families ate together. They grew close in heart and mind at the table. That is the one purpose of the Lord’s Supper, too, to draw closer to our Lord, and to each other, at His Communion Table: YE that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.” (See 1662 Book of Common Prayer)
The Bread of the Communion Table represents the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is, by no means, transformed into His actual flesh, but is a token of His profound Spiritual Presence. Those who share in that Table also represent His Presence for the Body of Christ is also comprised of His people. We break the Bread together and draw nourishing spiritual strength from that Bread. Just as His Body was broken for us, so is the bread comprised of thousands of grains of wheat each of which is crushed to constitute the flour of the Bread. We die daily for Christ (and our fellows), and we are crushed oftentimes for our faith and love.
Partaking of the Lord’s Supper together joins us together in a peculiar relationship unlike any other on earth. WE truly become One with Christ as we partake of the Bread of His Body and the Wine of His Blood as we sup together without division or selfish indulgence. It is as the Body of Christ at Supper time that we join in to worship and praise the Lord Jesus Christ whose Body was broken for us, and whose last drop of blood was given for our sins at Mt. Calvary.
The Holy Communion of the Lord’s Supper reminds me of that voice of my mother calling me home – “Jerreee! come on home, its supper time.” How much more lovely the Voice of our Lord calling us to come and dine at His Table. His Table is always as place of refuge, of forgiveness, and of intimate communion with Him. It is Holy. It is memorable. It is reverent. And it is a blessing to all who believe. Do you hear that lovely Voice calling you home to Supper.
