Take, Eat; This Is My Body

Saint Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Jerusalem

One of the traditional sites of the Upper Room in Jerusalem is the grotto (lower level) of Saint Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Church, now about twelve feet higher in elevation than was street level at the time of Jesus. There is much oral tradition to support this claim, and this building is indeed far older than the “favored” site of the Cenacle on Mt. Zion, which dates from Crusader times.

I once (1996) participated in a discussion about the Lord’s Supper in this grotto. Though we did not celebrate the Eucharist there that day, it was the most profound sense of the Holy Communion I have ever had.

Something I learned from this has stayed with me ever since: What is truly important for the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is not the meal itself, or even the Bread and Wine, but the intimate community of followers of Jesus among whom it takes place.

Drink from this – all of you . . .

Do not mistake me – I believe all Holy Church teaches and preaches about the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated Bread and Wine. But the Bread and Wine locked away in a cabinet by itself has little impact upon the Church. The Bread and Wine shared in an intimate meal of love among the Faithful – there is the power of Christ. And the Presence of Christ within every ordinary Christian, and the bond of love they share when the gather together, there is His true Real Presence. On that day in Jerusalem we did not have physical bread and wine sitting on a table in the Saint Mark’s grotto. But we had it in our hearts as we shared our love of Him with one another.

Tonight, when you attend the Maundy Thursday Eucharist in your Church (and I truly hope you will,) remember that the Lord’s Supper is not only the Bread and Wine, but the Family of Love who eat and drink it. When you come to the altar rail to receive Communion, it is possible it is no longer your practice to actually eat and drink from a common loaf and common cup. But look to the person on your right and on your left, and love them. Truly love them as you receive the Sacrament. For you and they together are the core of this Sacrament.

And everything you do in receiving and consuming the Bread and Wine must affirm that bond of love – not just in a symbolic way, but in a viscerally physical way – with everyone at that altar.  For therein lies the Blessing.

~ Will, ObJN