The Lord’s Supper , also called Eucharist (Great Thanksgiving), Holy Communion, or Mass (meaning a sending out) is the central worship act and one of two sacraments (including penance) repeated in the Church.

Ordained by our Lord in St. Matt 26, St. Mark 14, St. Luke 22 and 1 Cor 11 , it is central to our life in Jesus. We use the term “life” decidedly, because Jesus commanded us to observe this sacrament to have life.

Additionally, He also told us to do it in remembrance of Him - a term meaning “calling Him back.” Because of this, we believe He inhabits the wine and bread spiritually by the Holy Ghost, accomplished by the Prayer of Consecration (”This is my Body…”) and the Epiclesis - the calling near of the Holy Ghost (”And we most humbly beseech thee to hear us…”) prayed shortly after the Consecration. In short, our Lord is present in the consecrated elements.

But what does this mean to the Faithful who eat this Heavenly feast? We can express it well in the simple devotion we teach in the Salt and Light Course. After we have spent time preparing for the service by a personal examen and invoking the Holy Ghost’s indwelling presence personally, we ask Him to minister to us collectively by a series of entreaties to purify us, teach us by the Scripture, forgive our sins and admit us to the Holy Table - all leading us to an exchange of our own nature for that of the Lord Himself.

The simple devotion? Just before receiving the Holy Sacrament we pray,” Thy nature, O Lord, for my nature.” This is the ultimate “good deal” of the ages - giving our Father our fallen flesh for His more Excellent Way. This is why we urge our members to have Communion at least weekly - we need His life and His nature.

Come Holy Ghost - change us into the Lord’s image when we exchange His own nature for ours in your sending out of your Church into the World.

by Father Chip Harper, Rector, All Saints Anglican Church