Being a part of a religion and spiritual path can be a very rewarding experience. However, diving deep into its practices to understand the significance of what you’re celebrating and what certain rituals mean can serve to enhance what you’re already reaping from your chosen path. For example, if you’re Catholic, do you know what the purpose of communion is and why you regularly engage in the consumption of wine and wafers? If not, let’s take a closer look at this ritual and what it means for those in the Catholic faith.
Communion and You
What is communion and what purpose does it serve?
Communion is something that many Christians and Catholics will partake in. But what exactly does it mean? The significance of communion can be traced back to the Last Supper in the Bible. Specifically, in Mattthew 26:26-28, Jesus says to his disciples: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying:
“Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Many see communion as a celebration of Jesus’s sacrifice and a reminder of the love and commitment that he had for those that he sacrificed himself for. By engaging in this practice, you’re showing your commitment to him in the process.
What supplies do you need for communion?
Hosting communion is easy. Although some people may be selective about what they use (for example, some may choose to use unleavened bread), you can easily take communion using wine from your local liquor store and any crackers or bread you may be able to find or goods that you already have on hand. If children are engaging in communion with you, you may wish to use grape juice instead (or provide the children with grape juice while the adults drink from a wine cup).
Beyond the two major ingredients involved in communion that represent the body and the blood of Christ, communion supplies will typically include special cups and bread trays for the wine and bread/crackers. Of course, we’re living in much different times, and the COVID-19 pandemic means that many are meeting from home. The good news? You can still get all of the supplies you need by purchasing a portable communion set that’ll provide you with special cups and trays for your rituals. This way, you can take communion from home safely!
Are there any specific guidelines for taking communion?
The answer to this question depends upon your faith. Some believe that are all worthy and welcome to engage in this practice. Others may follow stricter codes, such as that offered in Corinthians 11:27-32, which states:
“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.”
If you want to partake in communion, you can either do it alone or ask your church how they engage in this practice (and whether or not there are things that you must do before you can take communion as well).
Certain practices within various religions can seem strange, but learning more about them can make engaging in these rituals that must better. If you regularly take communion and are curious to learn more, the guide above will help you dive deeper into communion, what you’ll need to follow through with this ritual, and who can take it!
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