Thoughts for the Day

Therefore, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In ancient times when a sacrifice was offered to a pagan god it was the custom for part of the meat to be handed back to the person who had offered it, so that they could enjoy a feast. Worshippers believed that the god was present and entered into all who ate the meat, so that they were in communion with one another and with their god.

When we invite friends or family to a meal we aim to enjoy fellowship with them, and to come even closer to them. How much more does this happen when we eat a meal with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Whenever we celebrate this meal, whether we call it the 'Eucharist', the 'Mass', the 'Communion Service', or the 'Lord's Supper' (or indeed other names) we come together in union with Christ. Those who celebrate are one body with Him and go out into the world in His strength to do His work in the world.

As Christians we need to receive the bread and wine at the Eucharist, regularly, to continue growing in fellowship with our Lord.

Heavenly Father,
as members of the Body of Christ,
keep us strong in the faith
during this pandemic.
As individual congregations struggle
we need each other even more,
so that we may be fed and nurtured.
May we encourage one another to worship
more regularly.
Amen.