Corpus Christi
On this Feast of Corpus Christi, we delve into the profound significance of Holy Communion, a tradition established in the 13th century, long before the Reformation. While not officially in the Anglican Church of Canada’s calendar, many congregations, particularly those with Anglo-Catholic piety, do observe this feast, often transferring it to the Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Today, we acknowledge the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine. It’s a day to reflect on the institution of the Eucharist and its central role in our Christian faith.
The sermon highlights the Eucharistic prayer as a prayer of profound thanksgiving. We give thanks for God’s tender mercy in giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death on the Cross for our redemption. This resonates with the understanding that Christ, “by his one oblation of himself once offered, made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice… for the sins of the whole world.”
The Eucharist: A Tangible Reminder of Sacrifice
Holy Communion serves as a tangible reminder of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. In St. Paul’s day, the concept of sacrifice was commonplace; people understood that sin separated them from God and a sacrifice was needed for reconciliation. Jesus, in His boundless love, offers Himself as an unblemished offering to atone for the sins of the whole world.
Key Aspects of Our Participation:
- Perpetual Memorial: The Eucharist is a “perpetual memorial” of Christ’s “precious death, until his coming again,” a command to “do this in remembrance of me.”
- Personal and Communal: Participating in the Eucharist is both deeply personal and profoundly communal, fostering spiritual unity among believers.
- Shared Identity: Through this ritual, we affirm our shared identity as members of the body of Christ, where your presence supports and nourishes the faith of others.
- Joining Our Sacrifice: In the Eucharist, we are invited to join our own sacrifices with Christ’s sacrifice.
Let us give thanks today that we can feed on, and be nourished and strengthened by, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, enabling us to live lives to the glory and honor of God and for the blessing of others.
A Call to Action: Be Nourished, Serve Others
Join us at the table. Be nourished and strengthened by Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. Let this spiritual feeding empower you to live a life that honors God and blesses those around you, both physically and spiritually.
Join Us
Experience the warmth and support of a community of faith at St. Barnabas. We invite you to join us in worship, fellowship and service as we are nourished in the Eucharist and journey together in the light Christ under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Watch the full sermon to learn more about how you can experience the Trinity.