Can We Take Holy Communion Online?: Pt. 3 (Mystery)

This is the third of three posts answering the question posed in the title.  The other posts deal with community and history.  

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MYSTERY   mysterium (or sacramentum)

“What I have written is but a fleeting intimation of the outside of what one man sees ...No one shares the secret of a life; no one enters into the heart of the mystery.” - Howard Thurman

In any Christian church, Catholic or Protestant, conservative or liberal, Reformed or Evangelical, there are at least two sacraments or ordinances: they are Baptism and Holy Communion.  In fact, the word sacramentum (from which the word sacrament comes) in the Greek comes from the word mysterion or mystery.  The very definition reminds us that we don't completely understand what is happening when we participate in Holy Communion.  

Holy Communion/The Lord's Supper/Eucharist is a divine cliffhanger - it's a time we  remember and anticipate the Lord's return.  My Baptist theology teacher, Curtis Freeman, has some really poignant thoughts about the Lord's Supper.  He says that when it is happening, "There is more going on ...than meets the eye."  He also says "this can't be something that we do, but it has to be something that God does."  Others throughout the Christian tradition have remarked about the "Holy Mystery" of communion.

So, what is the final answer???



Yes we can.  I have to say that my initial uncertainty has been eased by God's habit of using things we think aren't worthy to reach us.  If God can use a donkey, a fish, a book, bread, wine, and even a rock, surely He can use a camera, a computer, and an internet signal.  In fact, a small community of believers have agreed to trust God and gather for a "virtual communion" this Sunday.  We're excited about what God has in store for us as we steward this mystery. (I Cor. 4:1)

The gospel was never meant to be a novelty or flavor of the month.  It will outlast YouTube, Skype, and Google; it's power and influence will not implode like the .com bubble...  

But it was never meant to be a relic either.  It is alive, energized by the words of Jesus Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit to be relevant in the world yesterday, today, and forever.

Please pray with us as we remember Christ through Holy Communion.  When God's people come together with Him as the focus, anything can happen.

God, you are able to do exceeding, abundantly, above all we can think, ask, or imagine.  Your Words are elusive, but they are real.  Let this bread and cup knit us together as it did Your followers.  Let it heal our illnesses, shape our character, and strengthen our faith.  We long to live for You beyond what we've seen.  Help us to keep looking to the hills from where our help comes.  We will be mindful to give you the praise.  Always.  In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.



Open,
j.a.g.



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I Corinthians 4:1
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.

Can We Take Holy Communion Online?: Pt. 2 (History)

This post is a continuation of a discussion started here and concluded here.  In short, I believe the answer to the title question deals with community, history, and mystery.


HISTORY


Most of our conceptions of how Holy Communion/The Lord's Supper/Eucharist should be observed are based on tradition.  Now, tradition isn't necessarily a problem, but we should take it into account in wondering about this question of online communion. When we strip away tradition, how was it practiced originally? According to Luke 22 and I Corinthians 11:

• It was held in someone's home, not a religious space
• There is no distinction in who could lead it
• It was done during and after a larger meal
• The cup was given before and after the bread
• It wasn't done one person at a time, but collectively

To some today, observing Holy Communion without an ordained minister or as part of a larger meal would seem like blasphemy.  Yet when we read, we find it's completely consistent with scripture.  Renowned New Testament scholar and Dean of the Duke Divinity School, Richard B. Hays, says we have to keep in mind these "historical circumstances" when reading about the Lord's Supper - "Christians accustomed to experiencing the Lord's Supper only as a ritual 'in church', removed from a meal setting, will need to discipline their imaginations to keep this original setting in mind."*



A part of the issue then in reading and practice is that we often see tradition as the beginning of a practice, when tradition is really the ritualized development of an historical practice over time. There has constantly been changes in the way Holy Communion has been observed.  It wasn't always done by intinction (dipping the bread in a common cup), wearing white gloves (something we Black Baptists do), or with a gluten-free option (just heard of this last week - wow!).  Instead, it has been a continuation of faithfully observing the sacrament while making contemporary considerations...


If Jesus and His apostles witnessed how we observe Holy Communion would they recognize it?  Would they consider it faithful?  Somehow we believe they would make room for our adjustments - can't we make room for others?  Interesting...mysterious even...




Lord, thank You for the witness of history. Please allow us to remain faithful to You as we enter new spaces of worship and obedience.  Help us to be wise and harmless.  We trust You Holy Spirit and listen to be led by You.  Please guide our hearts and minds.  In Christ Jesus.  Amen.  



Pushing,
j.a.g.






*Richard Hays.  First Corinthians: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary in Teaching and Preaching. (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1997), 193.

S/O to Dr. Brittany Wilson and my classmates in NT Bodies for great feedback last week and for suggesting we read Dean Hays' chapter on this topic.  See pp. 193-206 of that text for more.