Holy Cross Monastery, West Park, NY
Br. Robert Sevensky, OHC
Corpus Christi - Thursday, June 16, 2022
In 1982, the World Council of Churches issued an influential paper titled Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry which emphasized the many theological convergences which the various member churches had arrived at regarding these three essential elements of Christian faith and practice. They prefaced the document with the usual caveats, noting that important divergences remained. And they also emphasized the practical missional dimensions that are intrinsically related to these theological reflections. It is worth quoting:
“We live in a crucial moment in the history of humankind. As the churches grow into unity, they are asking how their understandings and practices of baptism, eucharist and ministry relate to their mission in and for the renewal of human community as they seek to promote justice, peace and reconciliation. Therefore our understanding of these cannot be divorced from the redemptive and liberating mission of Christ through the churches in the modern world.”
Forty years on it is still worth reading and reflecting on this ecumenical statement, seeing both how far we have come and how far we still must go.
As some of you know, the Episcopal Church is again considering the relationship between Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist and specifically whether baptism is a necessary precondition for the faithful reception of Holy Communion. It's a complex relationship historically and canonically, not to mention theologically. But wherever you come out in this current debate, it is I think undeniable that there is, and always has been, an intimate relationship between baptism and the Holy Eucharist. And when we ignore that relationship and see the Eucharist as just one, albeit central, sacramental rite unmoored from the larger picture of God’s saving action in Christ Jesus, we run the risk of making Holy Communion into a thing rather than a doorway into an ever-deepening relationship with God in Jesus Christ and with all God's people in every place and in every age.
The 1982 document reminds us that baptism—our participation in Christ’s death and resurrection and our incorporation into Christ’s body—is both God's gift to us and our human response to that gift. And though only a momentary experience, it is related to lifelong growth in Christ. In continuity with Christian tradition, the document states that baptism is an unrepeatable act. But then it goes on to remind us that: “Baptism needs to be constantly reaffirmed. The most obvious form of such reaffirmation is the celebration of the Eucharist.”
This is important. What we do at this altar and what we receive at this Holy Table are not separate from or other than the grace that comes to us in Baptism. Nor from the countless other vehicles of growth in holiness: the Word of God heard and studied, the practice of prayer, the exercise of mutual love, the service of neighbor. All these are gifts and paths towards fullness of life. They are the regular reaffirmation, or better, the nurturing and renourishing of our very selves, our souls and bodies, equipping us for the joys and struggles of Christian living and human flourishing.
In this simple food given us, and in the Holy Presence promised to us in and through it, we feed upon the One who is the Way, the Truth and Life itself. And yes, we adore that Presence made tangible, made available, made present for us here and now.
I confess that I don’t really understand this mystery. I do know that there have been times in my life when taking this Bread and drinking this Wine have touched me to my deepest core. I also know that most days, I am like a child who needs nourishment and does not even know that this is what I need. I approach mostly unaware, in hope and faith that the Lord understands and that in this holy Sacrament feeds me in ways beyond my knowing and despite, or perhaps because of, my unworthiness and brokenness. That is God’s way, isn’t it?
I’m not much of a fan of Richard Rohr, but what Sr. Sarah Hennessey, FSPA says of him and his Eucharist theology I find refreshing:
“Eucharist reveals the scandal of the particular, suggests Richard Rohr. Yes, all of creation is holy, so what does eating this piece of bread and drinking from this cup of wine really mean? When we focus on one moment of truth, eating this particular bread, we have to struggle with the meaning of it. We have to love it, resist it, eat it, drink it and be with it—in this moment. This struggle toward being fully present leads us to closer union with God in the whole cosmos. Rohr reveals to us that how we love anything is how we love everything. Eucharist is, above all, an invitation to love.”
Yes, above all an invitation to love. It is an invitation that begins with baptism and blossoms again and again on the Tree of Life, nourished and renewed, strengthened and purified, healed and matured by eating this particular piece of bread and drinking this cup of blessing, this Body and Blood of Christ.
May the gracious Lord feed us, his people, now and always. Amen.
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