Introduction
Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper, is a symbolic meal in which Christians share bread and wine. Jesus instituted it on the eve of his death and asked that it be repeated in his memory. The bread recalls his body given, and the cup recalls his blood shed.
In many churches, a special moment is added to the gathering: a piece of bread and a small cup are shared. This simple gesture, repeated for two thousand years, has a name: Communion, or the Lord’s Supper. This page tells its origin, explains what the bread and the wine signify, and presents soberly the different ways of understanding it.
Where Does Communion Come From?
It goes back to Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, the eve of his death. The four accounts of his life, called the Gospels, and a letter by Paul tell it. Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it and gives it, then does the same with a cup, asking that this gesture be repeated so as not to forget it.
Luke 22:19-20
"He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
Jesus says of the bread: “This is my body which is given for you,” and of the cup that it is “the new covenant in my blood.” He presents his death as a gift and as the beginning of a new relationship with God. Read all of Luke 22.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
"For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
Paul relates what he received from the Lord and adds that each time this bread and cup are shared, you “proclaim the Lord’s death” until he comes. The meal looks back and forward. Read all of 1 Corinthians 11.
What Is the Link With Passover?
This last meal took place during Passover, the great Jewish feast that recalls the liberation of the people of Israel from Egypt, more than three thousand years ago. Each year, families ate a meal in which unleavened bread and the blood of a lamb recalled that deliverance.
By taking up this setting, Jesus gives it a new meaning. Christians see in it the promise of a deeper liberation, that of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. That is why Communion is often associated with the days leading up to Easter.
What Do the Bread and Wine Mean?
The bread evokes the body of Jesus, given for others. It also recalls daily food: Jesus presented himself as the bread of life, which nourishes lastingly. The wine, or grape juice in some communities, evokes his blood shed and the covenant, that is, God’s commitment to his own.
Taking the bread and the cup is also an act of gratitude, a time to take stock with God and with others, and a sign of unity: everyone receives the same meal at the same table.
Matthew 26:26-28
"As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins."
Matthew reports the same words and specifies that the blood is “poured out for many for the remission of sins.” The gesture is therefore first of all an announcement of grace received. Read all of Matthew 26.
John 6:35
"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Jesus declares: “I am the bread of life.” Whoever comes to him, he says, “will not be hungry.” The bread of Communion points to this promise of nourishment for the soul. Read all of John 6.
Who Can Take Part in Communion?
Practices vary. In general, Communion is meant for those who say they believe in Jesus, because it expresses that faith. Some churches invite every believer, others ask that the person has been baptized, and still others leave each person to decide. If you are visiting, you can simply ask or not take part.
Paul invites each person to examine themselves before taking the bread, so as to do it with respect and without contempt for others. It is not a matter of being perfect, but of being sincere.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29
"Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body."
Paul asks that “let a man examine himself” before eating the bread and drinking the cup. The important thing is to understand the meaning of the gesture and not to do it mechanically. Read all of 1 Corinthians 11.
Do Churches Understand It in the Same Way?
All Christian churches practice it, but they do not all understand it in the same way. Some teach that Jesus is really present in the bread and the wine. Others see a memorial, a way of remembering him, or a spiritual presence received by faith. These nuances are real, and they do not call into question the love each one has for Jesus.
The name also varies: communion, Eucharist (a Greek word meaning thanksgiving), the Lord’s Supper, holy communion. Frequency varies as well: every week for some, once a month or a few times a year for others.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Communion and the Eucharist?
They are two names for the same meal of bread and wine. “Eucharist,” from the Greek for thanksgiving, is mainly used by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, while “Communion” or “Lord’s Supper” is common in Protestant churches.
How often is Communion taken?
It depends on the community. Some celebrate it at every gathering, others once a month, and others a few times a year. The Bible asks that it be repeated without setting a precise rhythm.
Why are there bread and wine?
Because Jesus used these two elements of the Passover meal. The bread evokes his body given, the cup his blood shed. Some communities replace the wine with grape juice.
Can you take part without being baptized?
It depends on the church. Some open it to everyone who believes, others reserve it for baptized people. The simplest approach is to ask on site or to politely abstain.