Communion—is the cup necessary?
In the June 2009 issue of This Sunday’s Scripture, Paul Bernier, SSS, writes in his commentary for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ that the body is the “what” and the blood is the “how”:
It might be pointed out that the now common practice of offering the chalice to the faithful in Communion embodies a powerful symbolism. If it can be said that receiving Christ’s body is intended to make us true members of Christ’s body here on earth, receiving his blood tells us how we are going to achieve that. It is only by pouring out our blood, our lives for others in the same way that Jesus did, that we can be true to our calling. Receiving from the cup is more than a reduplication of Communion under the form of bread, and far more than an empty ritual. It reminds us that Jesus’ own self-offering, his shedding his blood on the cross, is what brought about our salvation. Only the same gift of self to God will make us pleasing to him, and enable us to be instruments of God’s life to others.
What do you think about Communion from the cup? Is it necessary or just a duplication?
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What a powerful insight! The MYSTERY continues to unravel – or revealed! Jesus said: “take and eat – take and drink” – and so we should….with our whole hearts, minds and souls.
Thanks for this great website!
Hi Rosie. Thanks for your enthusiasm. Keep up the great work!
I have learned that God is smarter than I am, so if he says take and eat and take and drink. Then that is what I do.
I like your insite. But not the glass chalice.
Hi Ken, thanks for sharing your thoughts! Have a blessed Easter.
Absolutely; it completes the process. Eucharist is the Great Meal, and most meals contain both food and drink to be nourishing.