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Christian Resources Library
The Story and Meanings of The Eucharist
A series of
four sermons
Historical background and study material
1: The Gathering of the People of God
2: The Liturgy of the Word
3: The Liturgy of the Supper: the Eucharistic
Prayer
4: The Liturgy of the Supper: Communion and
departure
1: The Gathering of the People of
God:
approach and preparation
Sermon preached on Sunday 9th March 2003
(Page numbers refer to our Blue Service Booklet)
Introduction
This Lent we are thinking about the Eucharist, the staple fare of our
worship.
For the next four weeks we shall hear four sermons, going through each
section or dimension of the Eucharist: our 'gathering' and preparation;
the liturgy of the word; the Eucharistic prayer and receiving of Communion;
and our going out into daily life.
These sermons are going to be rather different in feel from usual sermons
- with an element of just commenting on what we say and do.
We have deliberately used only one reading and excluded the creed and
intercessions to allow an opportunity for questions at the end of the
sermon. To encourage this process, we have prepared some questions relating
to each section of the Eucharist.
Throughout this service there is a combination and emphasis on both
word and action. As Christians we believe that this central act of worship
relates to the activity of our world and lives. We are not passive receivers
but participants in the common act of God's people.
1. Welcome and Introduction (page 1)
Our purpose is to gather as God's Church; our task is to embody God's
love in our locality. It is important to welcome people into our gathering,
especially if they are unsure about where to sit or what to do. This
can be done informally before the formal entrance of the servers. 'The
Lord be with you' - this form of greeting has been in the service of
Western Churches since the year 200 (except that it was dropped in The
Book of Common Prayer). The meaning may originally have been 'The Lord
is with you'; so it would then have affirmed God's presence among his
people - a solemn thought for us to share. Some Sundays have a theme
and so the host (or President) introduces the theme, welcomes people
and draws them together in worship. Then the words and the actions begin.
2. The Prayer of Preparation
This is a prayer to the Spirit for honesty and truthfulness. In both
in our lives and our worship. There is a wonderful beauty about these
words and feelings of awe and adoration of the mystery of God come to
mind and heart. The Prayer speaks of the power of God and of our growing
close to God 'from whom no secrets are hid'. The prayer asks that we
may be re-shaped and changed in the image of God - for transformation.
We approach as friends, coming to the living mystery of wisdom and love.
3. The Summary of the Law (page 2)
These words represent Jesus' response to a question about the essence
of the Jewish Law of Moses. He summed it up in these two commands (taken
from Deuteronomy in the first case and Leviticus in the second). They
show us the two-fold thrust of all morality, and urge us to see that
while we have lots of detailed decisions to make or issues to think
about, these are the principles never to forget. Love of God and of
neighbour over-ride everything else and must be our guide in all that
we do.
Love of God most obviously expresses itself in our prayer life, both
in our own hearts and in the regular company of our fellow-Christians
in the public worship of the Liturgy. Love of neighbour comes out in
inner attitudes and opinions, with the quelling of prejudice and dismissal
of those groups and individuals we disapprove of, and also in word and
deed as opportunity offers or need arises. Both kinds of love can often
be costly, and the two belong together.
4. Prayers of Penitence (page 2 & 3)
When we are really open to ourselves and God we find that we are facing
more than we bargain for! The reality of sin is part of the truth of
our human story. We are warped by illusion and lie - and we have the
ability to harm both ourselves and others. We are wounded by our failures
both to love others and to receive love. To use a physical analogy -
we need open-heart surgery to clear the hardness that impedes the flow
of love's life-blood.
The Prayer of Penitence and the Absolution are about inward realities
- our contrition, our desire to turn back to God. They are also about
social realities - our need to be put right with others. But at root
they are about God's love and forgiveness, which is why they belong
so centrally in the Eucharist as part of our preparation.
Of course these thoughts represent the framework we live in as Christians
at all times but we bring them out at this point because they set the
scheme for us to be ready to worship our holy & loving God.
Perhaps this is why it is important for us to bring into the Prayers
of Penitence our own needs and the reality of the things for which we
need God's healing forgiveness.
5. The Gloria
The Gloria rounds off this section with an opening song of praise: it
goes back to the 4th century and is partly based on the angels' song
in the Christmas story. It completes the forming of our minds and hearts
for what follows.
Conclusion
It is good to feel this spirit in our gathering at a more infinite level.
The Reverend Dr James Woodward
A poem by George Herbert:
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guiltie of dust and sinne.
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lack'd anything.
A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkinde, ungratefull? Ah my deare,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marr'd them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, sayes Love, who bore the blame?
My deare, then I will serve.
You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
Historical
background and study material
1: The Gathering of the People of God
2: The Liturgy of the Word
3: The Liturgy of the Supper: the Eucharistic
Prayer
4: The Liturgy of the Supper: Communion and
departure
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