Article March 8, 1975 Issue

[Original in Portuguese]

Communion

CRISTINA PAULI TRENTINI

Communion services in branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, are held twice a year (the second Sunday in January and July). At these services, following the reading of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, the First Reader invites the congregation to kneel in silent communion. This is followed by audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer; then the congregation rises and joins in singing the Doxology Christian Science Hymnal, No. 1; in praise and gratitude to God. No material symbols are used, other than kneeling in humility and reverence for Christ.

It is well to remember that communion with God doesn't depend on time or place. He is omnipresent. It was in a moment of communion with God that Mrs. Eddy, a faithful follower of the teachings of Christ Jesus, had an instant recovery from the results of a severe accident. In her principal work, Science and Health, she dedicates an entire chapter to the subject "Atonement and Eucharist."

Referring to the sacrament of the Eucharist, she says, "The true sense is spiritually lost, if the sacrament is confined to the use of bread and wine." Science and Health, p. 32; And further along in the same chapter she explains: "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." ibid., p. 35;

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