Communion

Communion is a meal Jesus gave his followers: bread and wine, with his promise attached. Lutherans believe Jesus is really there in it, for you, and that it gives you forgiveness.

It happens in person, with other people, so a website can’t give it to you. If you can’t get to a church, communion can come to you.

The night before he died, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his friends. Luke tells it like this:

In Jesus’ world, blood meant life. “My blood, poured out for you” means his life, given for yours. He said this the night before he gave it.

Lutherans believe Jesus meant exactly what he said: “This is my body, given for you.” When you receive the bread and wine, Jesus is really there, for you.

It is more than a memory, though remembering is part of it. Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.”

You don’t have to understand how it works. Luther refused to explain it away, and he never made understanding the entry requirement. What matters is the promise. Luther’s Small Catechism asks:

Christians understand this meal in different ways. Catholic and Orthodox Christians also believe Christ is really present, and explain it differently. Many Baptist and other churches see it mainly as a way to remember. Lutheran and Baptist, side by side.

• Who can receive: the ELCA invites all baptized Christians. You don’t need to be a member, or a Lutheran.
• How: ushers usually guide each row forward. You hold out your hands for the bread or wafer, then drink from a small cup. Many congregations offer grape juice and gluten-free bread. Ask an usher which is which.
• What you hear: “The body of Christ, given for you.” “The blood of Christ, shed for you.” You can answer “Amen,” which means “yes, it is true.” Saying nothing is fine too.
• If you’d rather not receive, or you are not baptized: in many congregations you can come forward with your arms crossed over your chest for a blessing. Staying in your seat is always fine.

What happens on Sunday, part by part →

If you can’t get to church

Most Lutheran congregations bring communion to people at home. Almost nobody knows to ask. Here is an email you can copy and send to any Lutheran church near you.

How to find a pastor to send it to.

• Matthew 26:26–28 Jesus gives the bread and cup, and says his blood is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

  Read Matthew 26:26–28

  ²⁶ 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.” ²⁷ He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, ²⁸ for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Mark 14:22–24 The same meal, told by Mark: “Take, eat. This is my body.”

  Read Mark 14:22–24

  ²² As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.” ²³ He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. ²⁴ He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Luke 22:19–20 The words “given for you” and “do this in memory of me.”

  Read Luke 22:19–20

  ¹⁹ 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.” ²⁰ Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 Paul passes on the same words the church was already using, about twenty years later.

  Read 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

  ²³ 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. ²⁴ 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.” ²⁵ 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.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• 1 Corinthians 10:16 Paul calls the bread and cup a sharing in Christ’s body and blood.

  Read 1 Corinthians 10:16

  ¹⁶ The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ?

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →