Breaking Bread

Holy Communion, in my understanding, is a solemn service of the coming together of the church community in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We remember His life, death and resurrection. We remember the sacrifice He made for all of us. Christ has assured us that when one or two are gathered in His name He is there.

When we first moved to New Orleans from India, we visited the United Methodist Church. We were initially unsure of whether we were in the right church where we would be able to grow spiritually. We were not sure whether the church would approve of our partaking in the communion since we were of a different denomination. But at the time of communion the pastor said this was an open table and all were invited to come and receive. We were strangers and were given an open invitation to share with the church congregation in the Holy Sacrament. At that time although we were far from home, to be part of the body of Christ made us feel like we were at home. We felt as one with the congregation as all of us are one in Christ.

Christ prayed passionately that we will be one just as He and the Father are one. In so doing we believe that it was God who sent Christ to us (John 17:21). Sharing in the holy sacraments goes beyond just a sharing of bread and wine. We are reminded that we are one body and it is the one and the same God that we worship and glorify. Communion transcends race, color, age, financial status, and standing in society. Partaking in communion we sense a physical presence of the Holy Spirit. We sense that Christ came to live in us and our community.

The question of communion for kids and nonmembers has always kept me wondering which side of the fence I stand on. I am happy to worship in any church that will welcome me. I sometimes wonder what sort of sins kids really commit that can be compared to those we commit as adults? What makes us decide that one denomination will not be accepted by God? Do they not know the difference between good and bad? What is it they have to confess more than we? How does sharing in the body and blood of Christ heap condemnation on us? Did Christ come to condemn us all? How does just confession of our sins make us right with God ... when again we are going to fall?

Churches that have closed communion to kids are following a good policy as it makes its members seriously reexamine their spiritual lives and the final judgment. It makes the children look forward to a time when they can partake of this holy ceremony. They may value this even more.

Churches that serve communion to kids are following a good policy as it makes the members aware of the grace of God that is a free gift. Thus by taking it they realize it is not their personal goodness.....they are not worthy to even gather the crumbs under the table, but it is only Christ who is the righteousness in them that saves them. Kids who partake in communion early, feel a part of the church very early in life. Often kids have problems of transition from sunday school to church service. This is overcome when through holy communion they feel a part of the service very early in their church life.

Luke 22:16-20
For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, this is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.


Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

John 17:21

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

1 Corinthians 11:23- 34

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.