Thought for Today
Leviticus 6:9 Command Aaron and his sons, saying: This is the ritual of the burnt offering. The burnt offering itself shall remain on the hearth upon the altar all night until the morning, while the fire on the altar shall be kept burning.
Numbers 3:38 Those who were to camp in front of the tabernacle on the east-- in front of the tent of meeting toward the east-- were Moses and Aaron and Aaron's sons, having charge of the rites within the sanctuary, whatever had to be done for the Israelites; and any outsider who came near was to be put to death.
John 2:6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
John 18:28 Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover.
Last Sunday our congregation celebrated the Eucharist. Afterwards, I was confronted with a question concerning disposal of the remaining elements. I was reminded of that when I read today’s devotional in These Days. The author related a faux pas she once committed in preparing the elements in a church she served. She had forgotten to put the bread on the brass paten. Instead, the bread was presented on a white paper plate. Is the rite or ritual more important than the specific details of how we celebrate what those rites or rituals represent?
One of the most distinct differences among the various Christian faith traditions and denominations is what we understand to occur during our celebration of the Eucharist. There are also significant differences in how we serve the Eucharist and how we dispose of the remaining elements.
Our ancestors-in-the-faith did have complex, detailed rites and rituals in their worship observances. Even the most cursory reading of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy presents a plethora of sacrifices, purification practices and even the required clothing for the priests. That was also true for most religions in ancient times. Almost all involved an elaborate sacrificial system. Almost all involved an elaborate system of various offerings. Almost all involved priests and other officiants.
Few religions today involve the sort of sacrificial system practiced by the Jews in antiquity or even in Jesus’ time. Christians believe that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross was the final sacrifice. Christians focus on that sacrifice and on God’s affirmation in the Resurrection and the Empty Tomb.
I have mentioned before that I was raised in one denomination, married into and was ordained in another, and now serve a third. All 3 are part of what is known as the Reformed Tradition. Although there are differences among the 3 in the serving of communion, the practices of all 3 are very similar. Churches of the Reformed Tradition follow the teachings of John Calvin to greater or lessor degrees. Calvin wrote that the importance of celebrating the Eucharist is in what it symbolizes and of what it reminds us.
Who is correct? Which practices are right and which wrong? Jesus did command us, "Luke 22:19 This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Paul wrote about that Last Supper, “1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’"
Search as I have, I do not find any record of whether or not there was a brass paten at the Last Supper. Nor do I find any mention of a silver or brass pitcher. Are they requisites for the proper celebration of the Eucharist? Is there a required rite or ritual for disposal of the remaining elements?
I believe that the proper rite or ritual, just like the correct faith tradition or denomination, is whichever one helps you grow closer to our common Creator God. However you celebrate communion, do so in remembrance of Jesus and his sacrifice on our behalf on the Cross. Do so in recognition of the new covenant, sealed in Jesus’ blood.
The right liturgies, the correct practices are those which bring you into communion with God. They are whatever better enables you to love God and to love each other. Their importance is in how they help you understand the reason for this season, in how they bring you closer to Jesus, the Christ.
Stay safe, worship our Creator, trust God,
Pastor Ray