Littorally Speaking

I tend to take things literally. If you meet me and ask how I am, you won't get a polite 'fine, thank you' but the low-down on my current state of social physical or mental health.

The other day I received an email that had me going - I just HAD to reply. The originator of it was gracious when replying to my rant in pointing out that he had liberally spread his email with irony and sarcasm, and so trying to dig myself out of the hole I suggested that at least I don't make the mistake of taking the Bible too literally. His reply was that at times we ought indeed to read the Bible so.

I wonder if that stands for the liturgy too? What I have in mind is Holy Communion.

I had the privilege yesterday of hearing the words of consecration given over the additional wine poured because I had run out while assisting (a miracle!). I don't believe in transubstantiation, so when I'm handing someone the chalice and saying 'the blood of Christ, shed for you' or some variation I am not in my mind handing my Saviour's blood around.

However I do find it a joyful act. I smile, if only inwardly, as I take part in the act. It is for me a sacrament of love, shared with people I may not know but with whom I have come together in representation of Jesus' last meal. And it represents the great gift given freely, which just makes my humble part in it so much more fantastic.

So too the Peace which precedes the sharing of the bread and wine. It is for me rather more than a quick shake of the hands and move on quickly. If I happen to have found myself thinking rather poorly of someone and they are in the congregation, then for me their's is the first and most important peace to share. Further, the down side of serving at Communion is that I seldom get to share the Peace with everyone before I have to join the priest in preparing the elements.

Love is ever present in Holy Communion. And God is Love. So maybe transubstantiation is literally true after all.