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“Let a hundred thousand devils, with all the fanatics, come forward and say, ‘How can bread and wine be Christ’s body and blood?’ Still I know that all the spirits and scholars put together have less wisdom than the divine Majesty has in his littlest finger. Here is Christ’s word, ‘Take, eat, this is my body. ‘Drink of this, all of you, this is the New Testament in my blood.’ Here we shall take our stand and see who dares to instruct Christ and alter what he has spoken…even though a scoundrel receives or administers the sacrament, it is the true sacrament (that is, Christ’s body and blood), just as truly as when one uses it most worthily. For it is not founded on human holiness but on the Word of God. As no saint on earth, yes, no angel in heaven can make bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood, so likewise can no one change or alter the sacrament, even through misuse. For the Word by which it was constituted as a sacrament is not rendered false because of an individual’s unworthiness or unbelief. Christ does not say, ‘If you believe or if you are worthy, you have my body and blood,’ but rather, ‘Take, eat and drink, this is my body and blood.’”
                      “The Sacrament of the Altar,” Luther’s Large Catechism, The Book of Concord.

So Luther launched into a long discussion on the Lord’s Supper for pastors and teachers. How do we talk about it?

Likely we do not use translated 16th Century German. But how would you answer the question, memorization of Luther’s Small Catechism aside, “what is Communion and how do you practice it?”

Atonement Lutheran Church practices a form of open communion, that is to say, we welcome those who are gathered to partake in the Lord’s Supper. This is not a universal practice, as some congregations practice closed, or close, communion. What’s the difference?

Open communion has both theological and practical concerns in mind. The practice of open communion recognizes the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in, with, and under the elements (bread and wine). As it is difficult to determine who is or is not baptized, and as the marks of the believer in the community have shifted over time, such a practice emphasizes the sure and certain efficacy of the sacrament, as expressed above by Luther. It sees the Supper as evangelical in nature, declaring “for you” in light of who Jesus ate with. Here, so very clearly, the Spirit of Christ forgives sin and raises to new life the least of these, proclaiming in word, element, and deed, “the Kingdom of God has come near.”

Closed, or close, communion has theological and practical concerns in mind from a different standpoint. The practice of close communion recognizes the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in, with, and under the elements (bread and wine). Such a practice looks to biblical and confessional caution, by St. Paul and Luther (see Small Catechism), that this is a meal for the baptized. In other words, when Jesus shows up, he isn’t passive. Baptism is the sacrament of entry and new life, the Lord’s Supper is the sacrament of sustaining and renewing that life and entry. This is not a meal to be taken lightly, because, here, so very clearly, the Spirit of Christ forgives sin and raises the dead, declaring “for you” to a believing heart.

Atonement’s communion practice favors the first understanding while also acknowledging the second. We announce what Holy Communion is and invite others into it. The sacrament delivers Christ and proclaims Christ, not the requirements to see Him.

A Sacrament of Holy Communion class, to be held by the pastor, will be starting October 30th at 9:15 AM . There will be three (3) classes, one monthly, followed by a Rite of Communion Sunday in January (TBA). The class is open to 3rd grade and above. Students are asked to bring along their favorite adults.

Last modified:  11/15/2011