Living as a Christian
What is Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is a simple meal of bread and wine that Jesus told his followers to share in memory of his death. It is also called the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist or the Mass.
Where it comes from
On the night before he died, Jesus ate a last supper with his disciples. During the meal he took bread and wine and gave them a new meaning. Paul’s account is the earliest we have:
For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.”
Why it has several names
- Holy Communion: “communion” means sharing, with Christ and with one another.
- The Lord’s Supper: the name Paul uses, recalling the last supper.
- The Eucharist: from the Greek word for thanksgiving.
- Mass: the usual name in the Catholic Church, and in some Anglican churches.
- Breaking of bread: an early name, still used in some churches.
What it means
Christians look in three directions when they share this meal. They look back, remembering that Jesus’ body was broken and his blood shed for them. They look around, at the others who share the one loaf and belong to the one family. And they look forward to the day when Jesus returns.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.
What happens to the bread and wine?
Here churches differ. The Catholic Church teaches that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, a change called transubstantiation. Orthodox churches also believe in a real change and regard it as a mystery. Lutherans and many Anglicans speak of Christ being truly present in the meal. Many other Protestants see the bread and wine as symbols through which believers remember Christ and meet with him by faith. All agree that Jesus commanded it and that it is central to Christian worship.
Can I take communion?
Customs vary, and the person leading the service will normally explain.
- In the Church of England, communion is for those who have been baptised and normally confirmed, and baptised members of other churches are welcome.
- In the Catholic Church, it is normally for Catholics.
- In many Baptist, Methodist and independent churches, anyone who loves and trusts Jesus is invited.
If you are not sure, it is always fine to stay in your seat. In many churches you can also go forward and ask for a prayer of blessing instead. Nobody will think it strange.
How often?
Some churches celebrate communion every Sunday or even daily. Others do so once or twice a month.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”