Editorial January 8, 1944 Issue

Our Joyous Communion Service

John Randall Dunn

Before perusing this editorial, the reader will doubtless have studied the Lesson-Sermon for Sunday, January 9, 1944, the subject of which is "Sacrament." It is to be hoped that he has not missed the crystal-clear Christian motif underlying Mrs. Eddy's statements in the chapter "Atonement and Eucharist" in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." What inspirational lines are these! In all the field of Christian liturgy, has anything more reverentially beautiful been set forth than our Leader's conception of true communion? Many of her followers will recall that the communion services of bygone days, before they found Christian Science, could hardly be designated as joyous ceremonies. Invariably thought was gravely turned to the tragedy on Calvary and the dark, sorrowful moments which preceded it. They were reminded that in the eucharist they were either symbolizing the last supper or were actually partaking, in the ceremonial of bread and wine, of the body and blood of the Saviour. Will not many readers of these lines agree with the writer that, time and again, they would leave the communion service saddened, sobered to be sure, and with conscience quieted over fulfillment of a Christian duty, but with little joyous inspiration to go forth and claim greater strength, health, and happiness?

Are Christian Scientists sacrilegious in their insistence that the communion service enjoined by Christ Jesus should be an occasion of joy and uplift, and also that communion with the heavenly Father should be a matter of daily occurrence rather than reserved for certain seasons? In remembrance of him, Christ Jesus bade his followers eat bread and drink wine—these elements symbolizing his body and blood given for humanity's salvation. Right here, that great inspirational nineteenth-century apostle of Truth, our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, in one terse sentence lifts the veil of mystery from this oft misunderstood Christian tenet. She writes (Science and Health, p. 25), "His true flesh and blood were his Life; and they truly eat his flesh and drink his blood, who partake of that divine Life."

Obviously, the scientific Christian must carry this communing into his innermost experience, striving daily, hourly, to reflect this Life. However, in concession to the highest tradition of Christian thought, the branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, celebrate communion in the simplest of ceremonies. Twice yearly, in connection with the Lesson-Sermon on "Sacrament" is this communion observed. At these times, the congregations are invited to kneel in silent communion with Almighty God. The material elements of bread and wine are lacking, each communicant going to the Father in thoughtful prayer in his own way, spiritually partaking of the bread of Truth and the wine of divine Love, and ending with the audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer.

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