It is a brilliantly constructed, brief, insightful, holistic discussion of the significance of, what we at my church call, Holy Communion.
I think anyone would be hard pressed to find such an accessible and thorough treatment of the topic.
Smith takes time to explain the importance of the sacraments as symbols in the life of the church.
"Like a sign a sacrament points to another reality without necessarily looking like that reality. A sacrament is an external symbol that is visual an sensory, but its primary significance is that it is a gesture, a communal act, or a ritual that points to and enables a community to join together in something of spiritual significance. What is noteworthy is the close connection between the symbol and what is symbolized, so close, indeed, that in human speech they are identical, as with a photograph. I can hold up a picture of my grandsons and say, "These are my grandsons," and no one wonders whether I am confused by a little piece of coloured paper. We understand this kind of language; it is customary in our common life to use photographs and speak of symbols in this way. To take this kind of language literally would miss the point and would rob us of both the capacity to use language well and the wonderful gift of symbols. Without symbols our lives would be flat and one-dimensional. Symbols and sacraments enrich our lives, enabling us to engage spiritual reality with heart and mind, indeed, with our whole selves."*
He then proceeds to celebrate the meaning of this sacrament of the Lord's supper using 7 words; Memorial, Communion, Forgiveness, Covenant, Nourishment, Anticipation and Eucharist. Here is one of his lovely summary statements;
"When we celebrate the Lord's supper, the ascended Lord Jesus Christ himself is in our midst as one who will ultimately host us at the marriage supper of the Lamb. We believe in the "Real Presence," one might say. But as Jesus himself stresses, he is among us as one who serves. This is the wonder of this table. Jesus meets us and hosts a meal; he forgives us and feeds us. Through intimate communion and fellowship with him and with our sisters and brothers, we look back (in remembrance), but we also look ahead to the kingdom that is yet to come. We renew our baptismal identity and vows as people of the new covenant. And with hope we identify with the Lord himself, who is the servant of all."**
Excellent read.
* Gordon T. Smith. A Holy Meal: The Lord's Supper in the Life of the Church. pp24. Baker Academic, Michigan USA (2005).
**Gordon T. Smith. A Holy Meal: The Lord's Supper in the Life of the Church. pp98. Baker Academic, Michigan USA (2005).
1 comment:
I must admit I don't think I completely understand Smith's words, however here are my thoughts.....
To me, Holy Communion represents neither the Roman Catholic 'transubstantiation' (that I grew up with) NOR mere symbolism.
In Holy Communion, the very promises of God are being held out to us to be accepted.
It is not just an expression of our faith in receiving Holy Communion, but an expression of God's grace and his promises to us.
Each time we receive Holy Communion, we are saying I depend on Christ.
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