Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Holy Communion: For the Health of Body and Soul
 Prof. Philip Thomas

Diocesan Treasurer
Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, FB

22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.  
  
Holy communion, also called Holy Qurbana  or Eucharist is one of the seven sacraments recognized by the Mar Thoma Church.  Holy Qurbana and  Holy Baptism are referred to as dominical sacraments as they are directly instituted  by  our Lord and Savior,  Jesus Christ.   Before preparing himself for his death on the cross,  Jesus took bread, gave thanks , broke it and gave it to his disciples saying “ This is My Body, which is given for you, do this in remembrance of Me” ( Luke 22 : 19 ).

 
Jesus  Christ  took the bread in His hands which reveals  ownership. Church is the body of Christ (  I Cor: 12.27 ).  Jesus broke it – which reveals changing the shape and declaration that ‘I am no longer the same’. He gave it  to his disciples  which reveals  His willingness to   be given up, thus the sacrament becomes a  means of grace.
 
When we participate in Holy communion, we are accepting the Lordship of  Jesus and  that Jesus has taken us, broken us  and blessed us.  When we participate in Holy Communion we are declaring  our willingness to be given up and our readiness to share our  resources for the less fortunate.
 
When  Jesus  broke the bread and held pieces in His hands, a space was created  between those pieces. When we participate in Holy Communion we are agreeing with our Lord that we are ready to have spaces for others in our lives.  By participating in Holy Communion we are expressing  our obedience to the commandment  of our Lord Jesus  Christ, thereby entering  into the status of a disciple. Our  obedience  leads  to  internal  and external blessing.  Jesus  died on the cross  for our salvation and  by His stripes we are healed.  If  we accept the Lordship of  Jesus , confess our sins and accept the Holy Communion,  we will receive healing and health of  our body and soul.

 Holy communion reflects my acts of obedience, surrender and remembrance,  “procures redemption, secures  justification, ensures my cleaning and makes peace between me and God”.(John Ritchie) Each sacrament should be an outward expression of the inward grace we are receiving from our Lord.

PRAYER

Our Loving Father,  help us to understand and experience  the mystery and healing power of  the Holy Communion.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
  A real disciple is one who has responded to the call of Jesus Christ and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. 


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