It is Maundy Thursday after all....
Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion on the “night in which He was betrayed,” that is Maundy Thursday, or the day before Good Friday. This event is recorded in Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; and 1 Cor. 11:23-25. During the Passover Meal, Jesus sat down with His disciples and said the Words of Institution (the Words of our Lord). The Word of God, which combined with the elements, that make this meal a Sacrament. The central words (and common to all accounts) that we hear each week are: “This is My Body given for you… This is My blood, given for you.” As we are fed with Jesus’ own body and blood in, with, and under the Sacramental bread and wine, we receive them for the forgiveness of our sins; for the strengthening our faith; as a remembrance of Christ’s death, resurrection, and coming; and as an expression of our common unity in faith. The Lord’s Supper, then, does not just look back, but also looks to the present and forward to the feast it the presence of the Lord on the Last Day (Matt. 26:29).
Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion on the “night in which He was betrayed,” that is Maundy Thursday, or the day before Good Friday. This event is recorded in Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; and 1 Cor. 11:23-25. During the Passover Meal, Jesus sat down with His disciples and said the Words of Institution (the Words of our Lord). The Word of God, which combined with the elements, that make this meal a Sacrament. The central words (and common to all accounts) that we hear each week are: “This is My Body given for you… This is My blood, given for you.” As we are fed with Jesus’ own body and blood in, with, and under the Sacramental bread and wine, we receive them for the forgiveness of our sins; for the strengthening our faith; as a remembrance of Christ’s death, resurrection, and coming; and as an expression of our common unity in faith. The Lord’s Supper, then, does not just look back, but also looks to the present and forward to the feast it the presence of the Lord on the Last Day (Matt. 26:29).
If there is one event which signifies and exemplifies the unity of God’s people it is that of the Sacrament of the Altar. As we are given the body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ in this holy meal, we are reminded of the death, resurrection, and presence of Christ Himself. Owing that this Sacrament is a central part of the Divine Service, the way in which we celebrate it, in accordance to the Word of God alone, reflects the utmost respect and reverence of the gifts God gives us.
The types of vessels used for Holy
Communion depend upon the custom of the congregation. Generally, the vessels are placed on the altar signifying their central place in the Service. The paten is a round plate on which the host (bread) is often placed when
consecrated and distributed. The host is usually kept in a round container with
a cover, called a pyx, which is
placed on top of the paten.
A number of different vessels could be used to hold the sacramental wine. The first would be the chalice (sometimes called the Common Cup), in which the unity of congregation is symbolized in their common drinking of the “one cup.” The purificator is the napkin used to clean the chalice. The use of the Common Cup was the general practice until the late 19th century when it was eliminated mainly for the reason of the denial of the Real Presence of Christ’s Body and Blood (instead believing a spiritual presence [Calvinistic], or no presence at all [Anabaptist]). Many churches now use individual glasses or cups, which fit into a template in a round tray. A white Communion veil is commonly draped over the vessels before and after Distribution to symbolize the Sacraments as the “mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1) now openly revealed to all through Christ.
The hygiene of Communion vessels is noteworthy. Historically, the use of the chalice was universal in Lutheranism, but has become infrequent especially in the last 30 years owing to hygienic concerns of some people. People believed, mistakenly, that germs are easily transmitted by using the chalice. The chalice is generally made out of or plated with silver or gold, highlighting the reverence and importance of the Sacrament. Such noble metals are also used for practical purposes such as the prevention of the cup becoming discolored due to a chemical reaction with the wine, as well as they are more hygienic. In fact, the combination of noble metals of the chalice and the alcohol content of the wine makes the possibility for germs to be transmitted almost nonexistent (recent scientific studies estimate that under the most favorable conditions, transmission of germs from one person to another was 0.001%, and when conditions approximated those of actual use in a congregation, no transmission can be detected. Contrast shaking hands after church, where there is nearly a 100% chance for transmission of germs).
note: this post was adapted from my brother's writings
A number of different vessels could be used to hold the sacramental wine. The first would be the chalice (sometimes called the Common Cup), in which the unity of congregation is symbolized in their common drinking of the “one cup.” The purificator is the napkin used to clean the chalice. The use of the Common Cup was the general practice until the late 19th century when it was eliminated mainly for the reason of the denial of the Real Presence of Christ’s Body and Blood (instead believing a spiritual presence [Calvinistic], or no presence at all [Anabaptist]). Many churches now use individual glasses or cups, which fit into a template in a round tray. A white Communion veil is commonly draped over the vessels before and after Distribution to symbolize the Sacraments as the “mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1) now openly revealed to all through Christ.
The hygiene of Communion vessels is noteworthy. Historically, the use of the chalice was universal in Lutheranism, but has become infrequent especially in the last 30 years owing to hygienic concerns of some people. People believed, mistakenly, that germs are easily transmitted by using the chalice. The chalice is generally made out of or plated with silver or gold, highlighting the reverence and importance of the Sacrament. Such noble metals are also used for practical purposes such as the prevention of the cup becoming discolored due to a chemical reaction with the wine, as well as they are more hygienic. In fact, the combination of noble metals of the chalice and the alcohol content of the wine makes the possibility for germs to be transmitted almost nonexistent (recent scientific studies estimate that under the most favorable conditions, transmission of germs from one person to another was 0.001%, and when conditions approximated those of actual use in a congregation, no transmission can be detected. Contrast shaking hands after church, where there is nearly a 100% chance for transmission of germs).
note: this post was adapted from my brother's writings
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