Virtual Holy Communion Amid COVID-19
The COVID-19 crisis has created an intriguing question and debate regarding whether churches can do Holy Communion, virtually or remotely. Our ELCA Bishops are not of one mind on how to proceed, although the official recommendation from our churchwide Bishop’s office is to refrain. Our own pastoral staff has had a lively conversation about the question. So far, during our time away from the sanctuary, SLC has not included the Lord’s Super in our online services but we are in this extraordinary time, planning to include Holy Communion in our Easter online worship service. On a positive side, perhaps the coronavirus pandemic has created a teaching moment, so lets reflect a little on the pros and cons what we believe about the Super.
There are multiple reasons why we have not yet included the Lord’s Supper in our online worship. First, we believe that Christ is fully present in his word and that the Word is the ultimate Sacrament so that Holy Communion is not a necessity. Nowhere does Jesus say one must receive the Supper to be saved. Hearing his word, believing, and being Baptized are the essentials. Moreover, it is part of the Call of our pastors to preside at our altar and bring Christ’s consecrating words to the Meal in our assembly. Not being together creates a disconnect from both the pastoral office and the assembly. On a practical side, fasting from Holy Communion for a time can be a good discipline and help us to appreciate Communion all the more when we come back together for corporate worship. Finally, in I Corinthians 11:27-35 the Apostle Paul is very concerned that those receiving Holy Communion rightly “discern the body” which Lutherans have historically understood to mean that those who participate believe in the real presence of Christ, that he is “in, with, and under” the bread and wine. Celebrating Communion in the assembly where we clearly state what we believe as we share in the Supper is a way to remain true to this concern. For all these reasons, and more, it seems right to rest from receiving the Supper during this time.
Nevertheless, at the same time, we do mourn not celebrating the meal Jesus gave us, a tangible experience of his presence and gift of forgiveness and grace. The isolation of this time caused by physical distancing makes our need for Communion all the more poignant. Although there might be some ways to have people come individually to church to receive the elements, all of them involve some risk. So what can be done other than abstain? Ultimately, we believe that Jesus consecrates the Supper. It is his promise, his word, which makes the bread and wine of the table his “body and blood.” If a recording of the pastor instituting the supper is said over/with the bread and wine that people have prepared in their homes, would that work? Especially, as many will be watching/worshiping at the same time so there is an assembly of sorts? Well, given the extraordinary situation and living confidently in the grace and mercy of our Lord, it seems that perhaps we can do this, on occasion, as we move through this crisis. In particular, Easter Sunday as we celebrate Christ’s risen presence, seems a good Sunday for going ahead.
With all of this in mind, if you wish to do so, we are inviting people to prepare in their home worship spaces a small amount of bread and a cup of wine and/or a grape juice to receive Communion. Jesus’ words, promise, and prayer will be said in our sanctuary’s table and over your table and we will trust that Jesus will come to us in his meal. Continued blessings to you in this challenging time and it is my utmost prayer that we can all continue to be vigilant in physical distancing, It is working!
As a footnote: It is interesting to note that some churches, Roman Catholic parishes in particular, still are celebrating the Eucharist but only the priest receives Communion. This is one way to deal with the situation. Sometimes one hears that the priest receives the Sacrament for the people. Yet, one of the greatest objections in the Reformation regarding the Lord’s Super was the practice of “private Masses” where no one but the priest was there to receive the Sacrament. Even though the current situation is very different than what was going on with private Masses, it seems wrong to consecrate the gifts and and for God’s people not to be able to receive them. The Sacrament is not a work we do for God, it is the gift of our Lord for us, for the church. Having only the pastor or one other person (camera person?) receive the Supper doesn’t seem like a good way forward, at least for a Lutheran congregation.
