The origin of communion meal recalls the table fellowship Jesus shared with his disciples, and in particular the Last Supper on the night before his death as well as his appearances to the disciples during meals following his resurrection. Throughout its history these Biblical events have been central to the Church's worship life.
In the sacrament of Holy Communion, also called the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, meaning "thanksgiving," Christians hear, taste, touch and receive the grace of God revealed through Jesus Christ in a unique way. Communion is:
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A joyous act of thanksgiving for all God has done, is doing and will do for the redeeming of creation;
A sacred memorial of the crucified and risen Christ, a living and effective sign of Christ's sacrifice in which Christ is truly and rightly present to those who eat and drink;
An earnest prayer for the presence of the Holy Spirit to unite those who partake with the Risen Christ and with each other, and to restore creation, making all things new;
An intimate experience of fellowship in which the whole church in every time and place is present and divisions are overcome and
A hopeful sign of the promised Realm of God marked by justice, love and peace.
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The poured wine and broken bread represent the crucified and risen Christ. The wheat gathered to bake one loaf and the grapes pressed to make one cup remind participants that they are one body in Christ, while the breaking and pouring announce the costliness of Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. Some churches provide non-alcoholic and gluten-free elements. As we grow increasingly aware of the rich cultural diversity of the church, the use of elements other than bread and wine is becoming an issue for global ecumenical reflection.
Baptized children and even infants are able to receive communion in many Christian churches. Long ago, Communion was served weekly, a practice continued and by the Protestant Reformers. Gradually the frequency of communion decreased in many Protestant churches; however, this trend is now reversing itself. While no one pattern prevails, many congregations are moving toward weekly or monthly communion.
During the last century the Catholic Church admitted children to First Communion when they were seven and eight. The First Communion precedes the Confirmation during the early teens. Catholic parish priest has the responsibility of ensuring that the baptized children of the parish are prepared to make their First Communion. But the parish priest does not decide when the child is psychologically ready for First Communion. The parents have the final decision as to when their child has his First Communion.
Holy Communion is a sharing with the risen Lord and a sharing with the human community in which he dwells. For children and parents any real sharing in and with the Christian community will press for sharing in the Eucharist, both to celebrate and deepen the bond of unity.
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