30,474
edits
Holy Communion: Difference between revisions
Minor updates and links
m (Format) |
(Minor updates and links) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Abraham meets Melchisedech (San Marco).jpg|thumb|alt=caption|Mosaic depicting Melchizedek serving bread and wine to Abraham]] | [[File:Abraham meets Melchisedech (San Marco).jpg|thumb|alt=caption|Mosaic depicting Melchizedek serving bread and wine to Abraham]] | ||
The sacrament instituted by Jesus at the Last | The sacrament of '''Holy Communion''' was instituted by [[Jesus]] at the Last Supper, at which Christ and his apostles were celebrating the feast of the unleavened bread, or Passover.<ref>Matt. 26:17–20, 26–29; Mark 14:12–17, 22–25; Luke 22:7–20.</ref> | ||
== Origins == | == Origins == | ||
The blessing of the bread and the wine is an ancient Jewish tradition which commemorates the [[Sabbath]] and other holy days. It is a ritual which can be traced back even to Melchizedek who “brought forth bread and wine” when he blessed Abraham.<ref>Gen. 14:18–20.</ref> On Friday evenings, the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath, a ceremonial blessing is first pronounced over the wine and then over two loaves of bread, which symbolize the double portion of manna that fell in the desert on the sixth day.<ref>Exod. 16:14–35.</ref> | The blessing of the bread and the wine is an ancient Jewish tradition which commemorates the [[Sabbath]] and other holy days. It is a ritual which can be traced back even to [[Melchizedek]] who “brought forth bread and wine” when he blessed [[Abraham]].<ref>Gen. 14:18–20.</ref> On Friday evenings, the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath, a ceremonial blessing is first pronounced over the wine and then over two loaves of bread, which symbolize the double portion of manna that fell in the desert on the sixth day.<ref>Exod. 16:14–35.</ref> | ||
At the Last Supper, Jesus | At the Last Supper, Jesus | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
Our partaking of Holy Communion (in any Christian church) is our acceptance of God’s gift of Sonship and our commitment to go out no more from the house of the Father and the Son. Each time we celebrate the Lord’s Body and his Blood, we must go forth from the altar witnessing to his Spirit by our words and our works. Each time we accept the bread and the wine, believing it is, by [[transubstantiation]], the Body and Blood of Christ, we imbibe the flame of our [[Christhood]] increment by increment, piece by piece, drop by drop. | Our partaking of Holy Communion (in any Christian church) is our acceptance of God’s gift of Sonship and our commitment to go out no more from the house of the Father and the Son. Each time we celebrate the Lord’s Body and his Blood, we must go forth from the altar witnessing to his Spirit by our words and our works. Each time we accept the bread and the wine, believing it is, by [[transubstantiation]], the Body and Blood of Christ, we imbibe the flame of our [[Christhood]] increment by increment, piece by piece, drop by drop. | ||
The “flesh and blood” of the [[Universal Christ]] is the essence of His Spirit and His Word celebrated by [[Keepers of the Flame]] who “have the testimony of Jesus”<ref>Rev. 19:10.</ref> in the L<small>ORD</small>’s Communion through the dictations of Jesus and the Servant Sons in heaven, the Ascended | The “flesh and blood” of the [[Universal Christ]] is the essence of His Spirit and His Word celebrated by [[Keepers of the Flame]] who “have the testimony of Jesus”<ref>Rev. 19:10.</ref> in the L<small>ORD</small>’s Communion through the dictations of Jesus and the Servant Sons in heaven, the [[Ascended Master]]s. Our cup is the Messenger, our wine is the initiation of the Light outpoured by the Holy Spirit, our Bread is the Living Word. “I AM Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending”<ref>Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13.</ref> is the true mystic’s mantra of Communion as he partakes of the Body (the Omega) and Blood (the Alpha) of his L<small>ORD</small>. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||