A Holy Mystery
I took the Eucharistic Theology quiz that Lutherpunk had on his blog last week and was dismayed to learn that my beliefs most closely matched Zwingli’s. I don’t really put a lot of stock in these internet quizzes and besides that, I took the quiz quickly without giving the questions much thought… so I suppose my score is understandable given my denominational background.
The really interesting thing was Lutherpunk’s comment in answer to mine. I believe he was referring This Holy Mystery when he wrote:
It shows a marked move from memorialism, yet most of the Methodists I know are closer to Zwingli than Luther. I guess it shows the divide between what is produced officially and the deeply held and abiding beliefs of those folks in the pews (as in every denomination).
I believe that is true but I doubt if the average United Methodist has given much thought to the subject and I doubt even fewer have read “This Holy Mystery”. Communion is one of the most important and profound experiences we will ever have as Christians but we don’t always seem to give it much thought or even take it very seriously.
I have seen some strange practices concerning this sacrament. I know of congregations who never celebrate communion and of others who rush through an abbreviated liturgy or, worse yet, just toss up an extemporaneous prayer then pass around the bread and the juice.
I have seen people milling about and even chatting during the service and I’ve heard commotion coming from the next room and elsewhere during our chapel communion. I have seen a variety of bread-like substances used for the element and on one occasion something other than pure grape juice was used.
So if there is confusion in the practice of the sacrament, it shouldn’t be surprising that there is confusion in the understanding of it. Some of that confusion comes about because, while we reject the doctrine of transubstantiation, we (officially at least) believe in the anamnetical real presence of Christ in the Holy meal. That’s really not too surprising either… it is a mystery after all.
But a more important reason I think LP’s assertion that there is a disconnect between denominational standards and what church members believe regarding communion is true is that we simply do not teach much about communion. Other than the liturgy itself, our beliefs about this subject and the theology behind our communion are rarely mentioned. When they are, it is hardly an in-depth consideration. My experiences could be out of the norm but I doubt it.
And that saddens me. In my opinion, Holy Communion is one of the most profound and moving experiences a Christian can have. Those times when I have most strongly felt Christ’s presence were during communion. I can’t explain that but I know what I have experienced.
Thank you for this, Art. I agree that some Communion services feel lacking. I love the liturgy and the emphasis on the mystery of this sacrament. I’ve been a member of five different UM churches during my life, and the service has ranged from tossing “up an extemporaneous prayer then pass around the bread and the juice” to the full liturgical service. Unfortunately, it’s pretty basic and quick at my current church. I guess the pastors feel the need to keep it short since we have four services with a combined average attendance of around 1200. However, there is no emphasis on the true communion with God and with each other. I miss that.
Nice reflection here…I have had this conversation with a few of my UMC clergy friends, and they range in belief and practice as well. Again, I don’t really think it is unique to the UMC to have such chasm between official and popular opinions, but the communion discussion seems to bring that to the surface.
Having attended a UMC sem, I saw a wide variety of practice. Sometimes it was reverent and lovely and holy and beautiful. Once it was a bottle of cran-grape cocktail and Ritz crackers (i excused myself half way through service).
A few years back, there was a poll looking at a variety of beliefs in the ELCA. One such question emerged about communion. Something like 53% said it was simply a memorial meal, even though Luther and the Reformers taught that Christ was truly present “in, with and under” the bread and wine.
Anyway, nice post.
Thanks Vicki – We are lucky in that we have Communion each Sunday with the full liturgy. On the first Sunday of each month communion is celebrated in each worship service… the other Sundays we have a separate chapel communion but still with the full Service of Word and Table.
LP – Thanks. You started it;) I have seen tortillas used and I think some kind of punch once. I even heard of someone using real wine
I suppose in the big picture of things, it doesn’t matter much so long as the bread is made of wheat and the juice is made of grapes but it seems to reveal a lack of seriousness about the whole thing that I detest.
um… who is zwlingli? is that someone im supposed to know? lol…no really
I am not taking the quiz, I am a little chicken after finding out I write like a man
OK, I am confused. I have never seen anything BUT real wine used. It must be a Catholic thing.
Also, as a kid, I recall liking the whole wheat communion wafers better than the plain white ones. They seemed to go better with the shole “folk mass” vibe on Saturday nights, which was way more fun than the traditional Sunday morning mass.
Anyway, I never drank the wine because it was given from a shared cup that the liturgical person would just wipe with an altar cloth. Ewww. Germs!
But, at least it was indeed real red wine. Mmmm
I should also add that when I was a kid I believed it when my mother said that the priest actually turned the wine into blood and the wakers into flesh, and that it should be a quiet, magic moment becuae the host wafers and the wine actually became Christs blood and body. It took a long time for me to understand that it was OK to eat the wafer, cuz I was NOT gonna eat it if it was indeed someone’s flesh.
Seriously!
Finally I decided it was OK because it was a metaphor, and REPRESENTED the flesh and blood. But in my head I’d always think, “bread and wine.”
I always come away feeling closer to God and having that quiet time meditating on what it symbolizes rejuvenates me, as it should.
Jay – Zwingli was a Swiss protestant reformer in the 1500’s. One of his main ideas was that Christ is not really present in the sacrament – either physically or symbolically – thus the meal is only a memorial.
Linda –
You never know, men do well on these things. I bet you’re a Zwingli too 
Susan – Grape juice instead of real wine is a protestant thing… though not universally a protestant thing. Beyond that, you are a very bad Catholic
Personally, I like the common cup just because of the cheesiness of the the alternative. But that’s probably a protestant thing too 
Scarlet – I think that’s where most of us are. At some point the debate becomes academic and is completely in the sphere of theology geeks. If Christ is not present for YOU in communion, it really doesn’t matter if it’s transubstantiation, consubstantiation, or memorialism – it is meaningless.
I guess I’m different in this area, only because I feel communion should be between you and God alone. Fellowship is great, but fellowship sometimes brings confusion when people have different relationships with God and different set beliefs, yet in the same religion. I have trouble talking to most Christians in my church, only because most of them seem to judge every other person in there. They’re mostly hypocrites and usually don’t tend to mind their own business. It left a bad taste in my mouth I guess. I wish I could find a church, where the people in there are solely for God; for the mere purpose of worshipping with their fellow brothers and sisters. My church resides inside my home…inside my heart.
Ok, I did it. I was 88% John Calvin….
see? this man thing is starting to scare me!
Deb – Well, communion is between an individual and God but in most traditions it is also understood as uniting believers with each other also. Having said that, I understand your situation and I can’t say I blame you. I hope you can find a church you feel comfortable in someday.
Linda – Hey guy
Well, at least you’re not Zwingli! 
Hmmm, that was interesting. Looks like somethings will always remain mystery.
I myself has been trying to solve the mystery of the legend that forces you to have “earn it before
having it”, for a wile now. Could not understand much though.
Let me know in case you get to understand the mystery of the Old Hound and the Legend
By the way, good writing style. I’d love to read more on similar topics