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Communion Question
As many of you know from reading my blog, I've been listening to a great message that a friend of mine did called A Mixed Drink. In this message, he looks at how the Bible views alcohol and basically concludes that alcohol is one of the many good things given by God meant for our enjoyment, within moderation (i.e. no drunkenness). That's the view I hold as well.
To get more to my question . . . many Christians today use wine during communion. As a matter of fact, we follow that practice at VBCC. One question that Chris touches on is using grape juice vs. wine for Communion. How does a faith community handle Communion when someone who is a struggling alcoholic becomes a part of that and shares in Communion each week? That's not an issue with VBCC now but what about down the road?
Thoughts?
| posted by Bryan | 8:20 AM |
4 comments
One thing we could tell any new person, Bryan, is that there is really no "requirement" that they receive the Eucharist in both forms (both bread and wine). They are no less receiving the Body and Blood of Christ by only receiving the bread. So, if it would bother them, they may take the bread only and refrain from the cup. Good thoughts Alan. I guess my concern was someone having to feel excluded from the Eucharist due to their alcoholism. That wouldn't be right....I had never thought of just receiving the bread though. I agree, it shouldn't be a complicated subject. Sorry if I'm complicating it by my question. :-) I don't think you're complicating it Bryan. It's already complicated - the alcohol issue I mean. It's a good concern. I hope I didn't sound like I was diminishing that. We actually have hosted folks in that situation before. One practical thing we can do is, when we invite someone for the first time, briefly mention the way we do communion. That way, the person knows ahead of time what to expect and can either decline communion or do what Alan mentioned. I don't pretend to be an expert in the area of alcoholism or anything, but I think mentioning the intincture option is helpful, at least it was in the case I'm thinking of. The few drops contained in the wafer after intincture shouldn't be enough to trigger an alcoholic, I wouldn't think. (Again, not an expert opinion.) 4 Comments:
I think context is big here too, and the fact that we have a pretty Sacramental view of it. I mean it could cause a problem but I wonder if the context might help it not to be for that person - thinking "blood of Christ" instead of "a stiff drink". Hope that made sense.
I think it's very unfortunate that we have created a culture in which we even have to think about these things. It should just be a normal thing. Even in the Eucharistic context, I'm thinking the early Church practiced it as it had always been practiced - wine - and I'm sure there were people who were apt to overindulge in their midst. Interesting question though.
There have been many periods in the Church when people may only have received the bread, for many reasons - disease transfer, etc. Anyway, It's the faith of the matter that's important I think. It's not like we're not receiving the "whole Christ" if we refrain from the cup. If we come to the Sacrament in faith, to receive Christ, then we are receiving Him, even if only in one "form."
I wonder - and I'm just talking here - what the attitude toward what we call "alcoholism" was when Jesus was sitting in the upper room. We have no real way of knowing I guess. I'm sure the thoughts about drinking in general were quite different. I would be surprised if they saw being an acoloholic as a disease. The only thing referring to it in the Bible as a record is not to overindulge, as well as how moderate consumption - even regular consumption in a party like atmosphere, is a good thing and a gift.
Interesting stuff. Any concern that's out of love like yours is, is a good one and worth thinking about.