I’ve been contemplating the traditional religious act of communion. I play the organ for three congregations, two of which are Catholic, so I needn’t think about it in that church, as you must be one of them to partake in this ritual. But the second church I play for on Sunday morning is Presbyterian. They offer communion once a month, and today was the day. They also have numerous preachers who come on different Sundays, so they usually try to get me to eat and drink the body of Christ. Having been raised in Christian Science, I had never witnessed this process until I began playing for mainline religions six years ago. When I played for the Methodists a few years back, I asked the pastor if it was rude to decline when it was offered. He assured me it was not. I certainly would have done it if their feelings were going to be hurt, as I’m not saying “no” on moral grounds or anything like that. The Mary Baker Eddy quote below explains how I feel. To me, communion is a moment-by-moment, constant spiritualization of thought. And so it is …
“Our baptism is a purification from all error. Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love, — casting out error and healing the sick. Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread, ‘which cometh down from heaven,’ is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 35:19-28
“Communion is impossible alone. No one who stands apart can receive Christ’s vision. It is held out to him, but he cannot hold out his hand to receive it. Let him be still and recognize his brother’s need is his own. And let him then meet his brother’s need as his and see that they are met as one, for such they are. What is religion but an aid in helping him to see that this is so?” A Course in Miracles P-2.II.9:1-8
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