So what is communion? It's this word that's thrown around, I think like most words we use in the English language, fairly flippantly. It's quite unfortunate because even in Christian circles, groups of people still have no idea that communion is more than the eucharist or sacrament of taking a piece of bread and wine to remind us of Jesus' death. Communion definitely serves this purpose, and I have no reason to deny that claim, but what I am pointing at is the fact that communion as an idea very infrequently gets put into the category that it rightfully belongs in. If you look at the root word, you should immediately see that "commune" and "communion" have similar roots, which in terms of English should draw out similar words like "community", "communism", and maybe even the idea of "togetherness". The idea of the word is not just to have a community, but to have a community that surrounds you and shares with you. It's not a political statement, but a familial statement. It isn't about territory or dominion, it is about intimacy and relation.
So how do you "take" communion? What I'd like to point out is we often refer to "communion" as a noun of sorts, and you simply cannot "take" community, you must "have" community or "participate within" a community. It's not an act of righteousness, it is an act of love first and foremost. Actually, it's not about taking at all, but about receiving and giving. We are incredibly quick to assign words of warfare, of political charge to situations that simply do not fit into that category of thinking. It is not only a dishonor through language, but I think shows the condition of the heart. When you are given the opportunity to have communion, ask yourself: "Am I taking this to be closer with Jesus, to be reminded of His good sacrifice, or am I taking this to remind me of my purity, to atone for my sins, to remind me of the authority that I have in Christ?" Then throw both questions out, because to "take" is to have an action that you are somehow involved in. To receive, however, is the most graceful of stances that you can have.
This is what I'd like for all of us to think about. How can I best receive what the Lord has freely given? How can I best receive and host the presence that the Lord is all too quick to give? We are not worthy because we can take communion, or perform some act of righteousness, but we are worthy because the Lord Himself has demonstrated our worth through His own act that brings us back into communion with Him. One word that is also closely rooted in "communion" in semantics is the word "communication". We have been invited back to the communication with our Lord Jesus, and it's a beautiful thing. This is what we have the Son heart of God. If you've ever listened to the "groans too deep for words" from the Holy Spirit, or even let these out yourself, then you know that you are in communion with the Most High. That is how I'd like to define communion, as not just an act of taking a piece of bread and drinking some wine, but to really accept the invitation to interact and live in the relationship of the Trinity. To not just have a theological precept that defines our expectations, but to sit down as a Son and be rejoiced in by the Father, and then participate in the rejoicing in the Father as a Son. This, is where it starts and it ends, and to be frank, is where eternity is.
So next time you're eating bread and drinking wine, do it with Jesus. Accept the invitation to see Him in all His glory and seek His face wholly and truly. Stand with Him and explore His heart for you, allow Him to gaze into your soul and spirit vulnerably. Allow Him to show you the way the truth and the life He has for you.
And don't forget to swallow.
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