The First Absolution

Communion

“He who eats my body and drinks my blood abides in me and I in Him” (Jn 6:5-6)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn. 6: 54)

According to St Ignatius of Antioch (107 A.D.), Holy Communion is the “Medicine of Immortality”.

What is it

Sacrament: has a visible (bread and wine) and an invisible element (body and blood).

IT IS THE SACRAMENT OF SACRAMENTS

1)A covenant between two parties, God and His people It has its privileges, but also its responsibilities

2)Membership: one body and one spirit

3)Grace: eternal life where he abides in us

4)It is protection against Satan

5)It provides us strength to conquer Satan, sin and our lusts

Need to be regular, keeps you honest and on your toes.

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (1 Cor 11:23-26)

It is the real body and blood of Jesus and not a symbol

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

“Now on the firstday of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7)

It is the greatest work and strongest spiritual weapon. Those who touched Him were healed, what about those who eat Him?

Aspect of worthiness

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy mannereats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (1 Cor 11:27-29)

Are we expected to be sinless? No, being worthy is living a life of repentance. We need to proceed with awe and reverence. Proceed as sick that needs care. It cannot be done carelessly.

We say at the end of the liturgy, “Holies are for the Holy”, and “Pray for the worthy communion …”

How do we Benefit

Why don’t we feel this great mystery? Most probably, because we are neither ready nor prepared.

1)Come already confessed.

2)Prepare yourself:

1. Vespers and Midnight Praises
2. Sleep early
3. Wake up early
4. During liturgy: follow and participate and pray along with the deacons.
5. During communion: Prayer before communion and have faith that your sins are remitted.
6. After: Prayers, quietness, don’t lose it by sinning.

Some Rules for Communion

1)Need to repent and confess beforehand.

2)Fasting before midnight on regular liturgies or at least 9 hours for feasts is required.

3)As a minimum, you need to attend the gospel reading.

Remember, the priest is just an instrument for God. The transformation doesn’t depend on how good or worthy the priest is, this will be done because of God’s grace.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20)