When we come together we are to share in the Eucharist. Some had left this practice, even in the early church and Paul addresses it in 1 Corinthians 11. We are to listen to the words of Christ and be obedient to His command that we "do this in memory of me" and eat the flesh and blood of the Lord at every assembly. Paul understood that the ministry and traditions were to be handed down, unaltered. To reenact the Last Supper in the mass is a great act of obedience to the Lord. He did not ask us to do this, he commanded it. It should be our delight like the psalmist in Psalm 40 who says, 9"To do your will is my delight; my God, your law is in my heart!" Paul is not unlike the psalmist in that he too 10"announced your deed to a great assembly; I did not restrain my lips; you, Lord, are my witness." He admonished the early Christians by telling them that skipping this important command was doing more harm than good and was causing division amongst the church.
Common prayer and practices unite us in Christ all across his world. Private prayer is important too but when we come together, the mass joins us together in a great banquet with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ all across this great globe. I'm not sure why the Eucharistic meal would be downplayed as unnecessary or as just a symbolic ritual. The healing and grace that comes from that union with our Lord is something I hope to never miss. There was a couple in church yesterday, later in their years, and the man was escorting his wife to receive communion. As I watched this with great respect and admiration, he nudged her forward as if he were presenting her to the Lord. It was so beautiful to see and you could clearly see that they understood what they were doing and the importance. They were about to receive the great gift of our Lord. With great humility we approach HIM, with all our brokenness, he becomes one with us. I saw this and prayed that one day that might be Mike and I. I prayed that he might never let me miss the Eucharistic meal, even as I near the end. As we say those words from Luke's gospel, "For I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof", "But say the word and let my servant be healed." Luke 7:6,7, I bask in Christ's love and healing power. For I am not worthy but He loves me all the same. Amen
