Sippin' Wine and Breakin' Bread

I have seen this topic bring about some of the ugliest discussions and behaviors I have ever seen among God's people... ah- a 'sacred cow'.

While on a discussion list a brother raised this question - Jim P. wrote: "Question... and I don't want to step on any toes... Do you think it was ever to be a "ceremonial service?"

What does the word "communion" imply and carry with it as definition...?

When account reads - they broke bread, house to house daily.... What was taking place?"

I fought myself over this particular 'rite' for years- in and out of 'churchiantity'. So as a 'word' person (English teacher) I decided one day to look up the definitions of these words...

Ceremony/ceremonial means a formal act or set of acts established by custom or authority as proper to a special occasion- an established system of rites or formal actions connected with an occasion as in religion; ritual. Ceremony is a latin word and its root means reverent rite.

Communion also has a latin word at its root and means COMMON. Communion is defined as a sharing, possession in common; participation; intimate converse (conversation).

So for me the 2 words are a contradiction to each other. You know kinda' like 'military intellengence'.

The whole purpose of 'communion' is to recognize and then share in the life, with all of its joys and sufferings, of Christ. This is now done by seeing and honoring the Christ in each of us as His body. This carries so many levels of understanding that it is personally very staggering to me. I see that the 'Lord's Supper' was demonstrated in His washing the feet of His disciples. He in His greatness He humbled Himself to honor these men who He had shared His life with over the course of His life. What an awesome and to be perfectly honest, humbling thing to come to. My most awesome times of 'communion' have been within my own family members- In times like bathing my babies, fixing my husband's favorite meal just because I love him, mowing my lawn with the wind blowin' and the sun shinin' & holding my mama's hand when we buried my grandmother. I am learning how to be open to sharing and doing the same with others of God's family- the saints.

So I think that is why God has been speaking to us about'sharing all things in common'.

So for me personal- it is not and can never be again about a rite or ritual. It is about life for me... denying myself, taking up my cross and following Him- with all of His joys and sufferings. I can now share who and what I am with others without fear or worry. I can honestly give a drink of water to anyone who is in need of one. Why? Because it does not make me less- it makes me more. Truly the economy of the kingdom of God is giving with out thought of gain.