As we move toward the start of the Church Year (which happens on the first Sunday of Advent, 4 Sundays before Christmas), I would like to see Springs of Grace move toward a more joyful and fulfilling worship experience. There are several ways that this can happen. For example, soon we will begin learning parts of a different setting, so that we can have a little bit more of an upbeat worship service. At the same time, it is important for us to maintain the integrity of the liturgy, as that is how we as Lutheran Christians worship the God that loves us. Another way in which we can make worship more fulfilling is to begin to have communion every Sunday. But before we move toward this, I feel it necessary to listen to what Martin Luther had to say about the Sacrament of the Altar, and why it is important. Below are some of the teachings about the sacrament that is included in The Small Catechism:
What is the Sacrament of the Alter?
A: It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and the wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this written?
A: The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and St. Paul all contain the words of institution, which begin with “In the night in which he was betrayed.”
What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?
A: The words “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin” show us that forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are given to us in the sacrament through these words, because where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation.
How can bodily eating and drinking do such a thing?
A: Eating and drinking certainly do not do it, but rather the words that are recorded: “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin.” These words, when accompanied by the physical eating and drinking, are the essential thing in the sacrament, and whoever believes these very words has what they declare and state, namely, “forgiveness of sin.”
Who, then, receives this sacrament worthily?
A: Fasting and bodily preparation are in fact a fine external discipline, but a person who has faith in these words, “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin,” is really worthy and well prepared. However, a person who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, because the words “for you” require truly believing hearts.
I hope the above help in understanding the Sacrament of the Altar. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to ask. As understanding the miracles of God is not always the easiest thing for humans to do, it is easy enough to say that we believe that God makes it possible.
In our prayers this week: Buddy (at home recovering from knee surgery), Alma (still in Rosecrest), the family of Richard Saville
