Coming to the Lord's Table - The Communion Rite -- #1

Sharing in communion with another is one of the central moments in human experience. Sharing in the Eucharist with the Lord and with one another is a central moment in Catholic experience. The act of ministering and the act of receiving the Eucharist is one of the most precious actions we do. Being in communion with one another through our reception of the Eucharist is a great blessing.

Sharing in communion and ministering this precious moment requires ongoing reflection and formation. Recently many Eucharistic ministers from St. Malachy attended some excellent formation sessions conducted by the Worship Office of the Archdiocese of Boston.

I want to devote a number of columns to the important ritual moment of sharing communion. In this first column I want to outline what you already know, i.e., the ritual structure of the communion rite. Then future columns will fill out the ritual structure and the ritual action that the communion ministers do. Then I shall talk about the kinds of quality things that are evident when this ministry is done well. Finally, I shall devote some time to items that promote a good understanding of this ritual moment in our liturgy. I shall connect my comments with a document issued recently by the Office of Worship. It is called Service at the Table of God, A study Guide for Ministers of the Eucharist.

The outline of the communion rite is something everyone could easily name. It begins with the Lord's Prayer. The sign of peace follows. Then the bread of communion is broken and prepared and the cups of consecrated wine are poured and prepared. The assembly is then invited to the table of the Lord by processing to receive the sacrament. Then all return to their place. After all have received there is a period of silence. The rite concludes with the prayer after communion. The outline appears simple and straightforward. However, the doing of this portion of the liturgy is more involved than meets the eye. First of all, the ritual that is performed conveys profound spiritual meaning. The meaning was well put many years ago by the saintly bishop, John Chrysostom. He stated that this Eucharistic table groans under the weight of such abundant blessing. I have always found that a beautiful image: a table groaning because blessing is so great.

The image indicates that God does not wish to remain aloof from us. Not only does God communicate the gracious gift of the Spirit. God also shares at a table with us. God uses table partnership to express how heaven unites with earth. God uses what we are deeply familiar with. Just as we are fed with food, drink, and companionship at human tables each day, so also God communes with us as a people gathered at the Lord's table.

Coming to the Lord's table for communion calls for a spirit of reverence. To share at the table is to share in the holy meal of the Lord. Participation at this table frees us from isolation and sin, delivers us from loneliness and evil. This eating and this drinking are the culmination of our worship on Sunday and anticipate our sharing in the banquet of the Lord's reign in heaven.