PRAYER

O Lord, open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim Your praise. Your light springs up for the righteous and all the peoples have seen Your glory.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of Your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for You; now and forever. Amen.

READING

John 6:51-58

⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

⁵² Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

⁵³ So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. ⁵⁴ But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶ Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

REFLECTION

The Eucharist is a sacrament in the church where God's dimension and Earth's dimension, mysteriously interconnect in our reality. Through the host and the wine, we participate in a Holy ritual that has been passed down since it was first celebrated the night before Jesus was betrayed. Anglican services are organized around the Eucharist so that what we do before and after communion is very important. Next time you are in church or watching church online pay attention to the rhythm of Worship.

We often begin an Anglican service with music (prelude) to set the sound space for church. Next, we gather the community and welcome all to the service: "The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all". The people respond: And also with you. Then all say: "Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord, Amen". This begins the preparation of our hearts for the Eucharist.

After prayer, there is singing, then the reading of Scripture (Usually 3-4 readings, including the Gospel). Then the Priest gives a homily connecting what we have heard from the readings to our lives. Next is the Apostles creed, followed by Prayers of the People, Confession and Absolution, Passing of the Peace then the Celebration of the Eucharist begins with the offering of the gifts (tithes and offerings). Why all the preparation for the Lord's table? There are many reasons, one being we are getting ready to receive the nourishment for our spiritual lives.

The Eucharist:

• gives us new life

• it refreshes our faith in God

• it supports us in life

• cleanses us

• gives us power to overcome and transforms us.

• It reminds us that we are forgiven and we ought to forgive others.

The Eucharist is a table of Grace which is why all are welcome to the table. Anglicans celebrate the Eucharist each week in obedience to Christ's words to take the cup and bread often (1 Corinthians 11:25 KJV).

LENT CHECK IN

Imagine yourself present at the last supper. Where would you be sitting? How would you feel eating the bread and drinking the wine served by Christ?

Explore artistic representations of The Last Supper. 20 Last Supper Paintings, The Best Paintings of the Last Supper or try Googling "Modern Paintings of the Last Supper".