The great Reformed theologian John Calvin wrote that the Church exists, "where the Word of God is purely preached
and the sacraments rightly administered." The Word we proclaim is first and foremost an enfleshed, incarnate Word--Jesus Christ.
Our worship shoud also be incarnational.
The Reformers (especially Luther and Calvin) firmly believed in the indivisible unity of Word and Sacrament and sought
to restore the WEEKLY celebration of the Eucharist. Word without sacrament or sacrament without Word is incomplete and insufficient.
The sacrament of the Eucharist joins the preached Word in nourishing our hungry and thirsty spirits.
Unfortunately, for Canadian Presbyterians, the Eucharist is still far from being an essential part of our liturgical
and spiritual life. We forget who we are when we push the Eucharist to the outer fringes of our worship. The Eucharist, like
the ark of the covenant, is a visible bond of promise between God and the people God loves as God leads into the future.
Our very own Presbyterian Book of Common Worship (1991) calls the Church to remember that the norm of Presbyterian worship
is Word and Sacrament together in life giving, God proclaiming unity. Would that we would take up and read our own theology
and live it.
The beautiful words so often written upon our altar tables ("DO THIS FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF ME") indict us and our current
practice of Word over sacrament, week, after week. We are to "do" for the active and powerfully real "rembrance" and experience
of Christ in our midst. Have we forgotten? We must refresh our memories and renew our experience of the gifts of
God.
As a wonderful Eucharistic prayer declares, "God here among us, light in the midst of us. Bring us to light
and life."
If baptism is the sacrament of beginning the journey, then the Eucharist is the sacrament of being on the way, according
to German theologian Jurgen Moltmann. Moltmann also adds that the Eucharist is a profound clarion call to justice, peace,
and reconciliation in our world.
If we are a church Reformed and always reforming, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then we can work together for lively
and exciting liturgical and spiritual renewal.
The Eucharist is supposed to lift up Christ, call for justice, and nourish our spirits. Through our "sacred imaginations"
we enter into that reality of "thy kingdom come, thy will be done." It is the central act of Christian worship and "the source
and summit of our being."
Indeed, to this end, our reforming activity must also examine the QUALITY as well as the QUANTITY of our Eucharistic celebrations.
If the Eucharist is the very life blood of the church and the central act of Christian worship that proclaims the reign of
God, then it should be celebrated well. We should be able to celebrate it efficiently and joyfully.
In an age where so many Protestant Churches are rediscovering their sacramental heritage, is it not time for Canadain Presbyterians
to live their call to always reform?
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW for some excellent reforming resources. I hope that they help the Protestant Church in general
and the Presbyterian church in particular, remember and reclaim its sacramental treasures.
CANADIAN LUTHERAN BISHOPS CALL FOR THE RECOVERY OF WORD AND SACRAMENT.
CANADIAN LUTHERANS CALL FOR RENEWAL OF WORSHIP.
RENEWING WORSHIP
THE USE OF THE MEANS OF GRACE
EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT HOLY COMMUNION.
THE LITURGICAL YEAR AND HOW IT WORKS
A PROTESTANT WORSHIP MANIFESTO
SUPER LITURGY AND WORSHIP ARTICLES.
SEE WHAT OTHER PROTESTANTS HAVE DONE. EXPLORE THIS SITE!
COMMUNION AND HYGENE: WE CAN DRINK FROM A COMMON CUP!
ALL ABOUT MUSIC IN WORSHIP.
