Ten-minute studies on short readings from the Large Catechism.
Let's do this.
Click on the link below and read the short assigned reading. Then, if you have time, check out what I have to say about it. If not, no problem. Just soak up the goodness of the LC.
The Sacrament of the Altar, Part 4: Click here and read 43-54.
The basics:
- Luther uses this section to describe why Christians should desire to receive Holy Communion regularly.
- We know that the devil despises this and all Christian exercises so much that he will work hard to stop people from rightly receiving it.
- The words clearly state, "Do this in remembrance of Me." Therefore, it is the command of Christ to partake in this Sacrament, not from compulsion [being forced by men], but in obedience to Christ and to please Him.
- The words, "As oft as ye do it," are added as a way to have the Sacrament be free, not limited to special times, like the Passover had been for the Jews, which only happened once a year, but often.
- If a Christian can go on for a long time without Holy Communion and feel no need for it, then they might as well fail to pray and believe, as well, because the command is just the same for all of them.
- Luther describes what it was like for him to receive Communion under the Papacy - going out of compulsion and fear of human commands, without inclination, love, or considering the command of Christ.
- Christ invites and commands this Sacrament; if you despise it, you must answer for it yourself.
- If a person withdraws from this Sacrament, he will become more and more callous and cold, and will eventually disregard it altogether.
My thoughts today:
My husband's churches both have weekly Communion now. I'm not going to lie, he pretty much did a happy dance in his mind [and in our living room] when this happened. The guy wants people to receive the gifts of Christ. Who could fault him for that? Well, actually, a lot of people - inside and outside the church.
There is a great little blog post about this here:
"it won't be special" and other arguments against the Lord's Supper nobody else is buying by Adriance Heins
And that, friends, is the way it ought to feel.
My husband did his vicarage [the third year of seminary, studying under a pastor] with Pastor Kenneth Wieting. He is pretty awesome.
That dude wrote the book on weekly Communion.
No, like, literally, he wrote a book about it -
The Blessings of Weekly Communion by Kenneth Wieting
Or if you are looking for a little easier read [more for beginners, but a good read for anyone], he wrote another one. Yes, he wrote two books about how awesome Communion is, and both of them happen to be awesome.
Lutheranism 101: The Lord's Supper by Kenneth Wieting
This last one was written the year my husband was doing his vicarage with Pastor Wieting. The book and Pastor Wieting in general, had a profound impact on my husband's learning.
I recommend these books for anyone wanting to know more about the Lord's Supper. Plus, they make great stocking stuffers for your Lutheran family and friends (or even better yet, your NON-Lutheran family and friends)! :)
