What is Spiritual Communion?
Since mid-March, when the Bishop and Governor directed faith communities to close our doors, we have been separated from celebrations of the Eucharist, which the Book of Common Prayer identifies as our appropriate Sunday worship. While physical gatherings still seem to present unwarranted risk, (DioLA requirements and Bishop's requirements on Communion), our longing for the sacraments is real and requires response.
In the early centuries of the Christian Era as the church moved from shared Agape Meals to clergy led celebrations of the Eucharist, priests often were not available to lead worship and consecrate the bread and wine of Holy Communion. As St. Augustine’s 4TH century prayer makes clear, physical reception of the bread and wine is not essential for full participation in the Eucharist.
“In union, Blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of Your Church where Your blessed body and blood are offered, I long to offer You praise and thanksgiving. I believe that You are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. And since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray You to come into my heart, my soul, and my mind. I unite myself to You, and embrace You with all the affections of my soul. Let nothing separate me from You; let me serve You in this life until, by Your grace, I join You in Your reign of unending peace. Amen.”
A sacrament is “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” This Sunday, as you hear the words of institution and blessing, know that Christ is fully present to you and in you. Share in spiritual communion with our St. Luke’s community as with Christians in all times and places because we are united in the body of Christ as we “take and eat.”
In the early centuries of the Christian Era as the church moved from shared Agape Meals to clergy led celebrations of the Eucharist, priests often were not available to lead worship and consecrate the bread and wine of Holy Communion. As St. Augustine’s 4TH century prayer makes clear, physical reception of the bread and wine is not essential for full participation in the Eucharist.
“In union, Blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of Your Church where Your blessed body and blood are offered, I long to offer You praise and thanksgiving. I believe that You are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. And since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray You to come into my heart, my soul, and my mind. I unite myself to You, and embrace You with all the affections of my soul. Let nothing separate me from You; let me serve You in this life until, by Your grace, I join You in Your reign of unending peace. Amen.”
A sacrament is “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” This Sunday, as you hear the words of institution and blessing, know that Christ is fully present to you and in you. Share in spiritual communion with our St. Luke’s community as with Christians in all times and places because we are united in the body of Christ as we “take and eat.”