Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

— 1 Corinthians 10:16

It has been said that the Lord’s Supper, or holy communion, is a “visible sermon.” It is hard to imagine a better one!

The bread that is broken reminds us of the body of Christ, which was broken for us—not only on the cross but also in the hours leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. The wine (or juice) reminds us of the blood of Christ, shed for the payment and forgiveness of our sins. Holding the broken bread, holding the cup, and hearing Jesus say, “This is my body. . . . This is my blood. . . .” has the power to evoke deep, godly sorrow and to awaken a love and sense of gratitude that goes beyond words.

And there is more. As surely as we eat the bread and drink the cup, and as surely as we are nourished by those calories and vitamins, we receive the crucified Christ in the depths of our souls—to nourish us spiritually for this life and the life to come. While the sacraments do not save us, God works his grace through them to grant us joy and peace as we grow in faith.

The sacraments bring us into deeper communion with God and with the body of Christ. We celebrate the sacraments as a community destined for eternal life in God’s glorious kingdom.

Lord, thank you for the Lord’s Supper. May it always strengthen our faith in you, testifying of your sacrifice for us. Amen.