← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Centinel
Thread ID: 12762 | Posts: 5 | Started: 2004-03-16
2004-03-16 21:49 | User Profile
From Fall 1999 Lutheran Leader (WELS): [url]http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:PD7sjo8153QJ:www.wels.net/worship/art-49.html+lutheran+%22the+fast%22+%22communion+sunday%22&hl=en&start=1&ie=UTF-8[/url]
*Might we consider taking some action to better prepare for the Sacrament? In his Small Catechism, Luther asked, "Who, then, is properly prepared to receive this sacrament?" (The Reception of Holy Communion.) He answers with the famous words memorized by countless Lutheran confirmands: "Fasting and other outward preparations may serve a good purpose, but he is properly prepared who believes these words: 'Given' and 'poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.' But whoever does not believe these words or doubts them is not prepared, because the words 'for you' require nothing but hearts that believe." *
Lutheran Lite?
by Richard A. Krause
How about our preparation for the Sacrament? Are we prepared to receive Christ's body and blood in the Holy Supper? Are we worthy communicants? What about fasting and outward preparations? In his catechism Luther clearly says that faith in the words "for you . . . for the forgiveness of sins" makes one worthy to receive Holy Communion. Nevertheless, should outward preparations be dismissed out of hand or considered relics of past ages?
If we attend a lavish meal or banquet, wouldn't we make some kind of preparations? At the very least we would shower, take out our best suits or dresses, polish our shoes, and make sure our hair was just right. Are we doing the same for the Lord's great banquet?
My confirmation instruction in the 1960s taught me that such things as fasting and bodily preparations were not very important. I got the impression that outward preparation might lead to accentuating the wrong things in preparation for communing. It didn't take much to convince me that fasting was not for me.
At that same time, I would often visit my Lutheran grandparents who were farmers living in northern Wisconsin. As children, Communion Sunday was always apparent to us. It meant no breakfast. Normally, breakfast was a huge meal of cheese, sausage, milk, and all the extras after long morning hours working in the barn. Yet on Communion Sunday, that was not the case. The fast would not be broken until after my grandparents received the Sacrament.
Twenty years ago I studied for a year in Germany. There I observed worship at an independent Lutheran church. A number of things always caught my attention and demanded reflection.
On Communion Sunday, 20 minutes before the normal worship hour, communicants would assemble for a special confessional service. They would enter the sanctuary, and the doors would be closed. There would be no interruptions. If you came late, you were not allowed to enter. During this service the kneeling participants would make confession, reflect on their sinful condition, and consider Christ's great gift of forgiveness. Most sat up front, close to the altar, not aloof and separate from others. Such a service was full of silence -- a time for reflection and self-examination.
Private confession was also a practice still in use. This was evident by the long line of members waiting outside the door of the sacristy. For those not making private confession, a personal announcement of intention was still made to the pastor.
During the Communion section of the service, the words of institution were chanted as the vessels were lifted in awesome majesty. The magnificence of this section of the service lives with me to this day. This service enhanced and reinforced the great gift of the Sacrament in a most dynamic way.
What about us? What about our preparation? There is to be no doubt that "for you . . . for forgiveness" is the foremost thrust of Holy Communion, and everything else follows from it. Nevertheless, might we do more as we prepare for our Lord's gift?
Spending a year in Germany opened my eyes to what might be termed the Americanization of Lutheranism. Our church is different from the church back in Europe. We are not only different doctrinally but also in practice. As in every generation and place, culture and church collide and cause changes. This path of Americanization is a dangerous one. The Lutheran emphasis that God works on human hearts through the gospel in Word and sacrament is a concept that is easily lost today in the face of American confidence in human capacity.
What about such bodily preparations as making the sign of the cross? Martin Luther gave this formula: "In the morning, when you rise, make the sign of the cross and say, 'In the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."'
Today, such a practice is not only foreign to almost all American Lutherans, but to some it is even repugnant. Some think it Catholic, while to others it appears to be some type of magical incantation -- the sign of a superstitious basketball player standing at a free throw line. A called worker in one of our churches once related how odd one of our congregations appeared to him. As a visitor, he noticed that some people actually made the sign of the cross over their hearts before they sat down!
Here in America we've renounced almost all traces of past practices -- the sign of the cross, private confession, a personal visit to the pastor before Holy Communion, fasting, and so on. We have our reasons for doing this, but have we changed our Communion preparation for the better? Is our new American "lite" generating a positive hunger for the deep things of the faith?
Might we consider taking some action to better prepare for the Sacrament? Perhaps we could forgo reading the Sunday paper before church. We might instead read selected psalms, portions of the catechism, or reflect on the Ten Commandments. One might arrive at church 15 minutes earlier to read through the Communion hymns ahead of time. We could meditate on the readings of the day and ask, "What does this mean to me?" or "How have I failed my God?"
In the early church, repenting was often a joyful act of God's people preparing the way for the Lord. They were members of the bridal party. They did not have in common a personality type or technique for confessing but a sense of need and an awareness that God was addressing them to make them new. They were bonded together with Jesus in a divine meal. Hopefully we will keep growing in this same sacramental piety.
Richard A. Krause is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.
2004-03-16 23:32 | User Profile
Thank you for this post, Centinel.
Not to get too personal, but this last Ash Wednesday I received the imposition of the ashes and communion for the first time in my new church. Hard to describe it in words, but it was something that I most assuredly will never forget in my lifetime.
As to the sign of the Cross, this was taught to us in our new member's class and although I don't observe it being done by the majority of members, it is performed by more than a few at various times throughout the worship service and communion. My children now insist on it before bedtime and that's a wonderful thing. Outside of the doctrinal soundness of the Lutheran Church, it's little things like this that make me appreciate it so much. It's such a real-life, meaty religion.
Private confession was mentioned in the orientation class as well, but since then I haven't heard anything more about it and understand that it is available but not widely practiced. I admit this is something that seems very foreign to me, but perhaps I need to inquire further on this subject.
2004-03-17 01:31 | User Profile
Private confession was mentioned in the orientation class as well, but since then I haven't heard anything more about it and understand that it is available but not widely practiced. I admit this is something that seems very foreign to me, but perhaps I need to inquire further on this subject.
Go over the section of your catechism on the Office of the Keys.
Matthew 16 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
One thing that is simultaneously alien and riveting to many evengelicals the first time they see it is corporate confession of sins at the beginning of a Lutheran worship service.
2004-03-17 18:49 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Centinel]One thing that is simultaneously alien and riveting to many evengelicals the first time they see it is corporate confession of sins at the beginning of a Lutheran worship service.[/QUOTE]
Very true. My wife and I were just discussing this last night. The corporate nature of the service has really opened the eyes of this radically individualized Christian to a whole new dimension of worship experience. Granted the carrying-in and out of the Cross, the recitation of the ancient Creeds, the three bells during the Lord's prayer and the liturgy itself won't be preferred by everyone, but I have come to thoroughly appreciate and value the historical rootedness and unchanging tradition of these Lutheran worship practices. I could go on and on, but I don't want to bore everyone with my personal stories. Now I am looking forward to tonight's Lenten service even more. :thumbsup:
2004-03-18 10:59 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Texas Dissident]Very true. My wife and I were just discussing this last night. The corporate nature of the service has really opened the eyes of this radically individualized Christian to a whole new dimension of worship experience. Granted the carrying-in and out of the Cross, the recitation of the ancient Creeds, the three bells during the Lord's prayer and the liturgy itself won't be preferred by everyone, but I have come to thoroughly appreciate and value the historical rootedness and unchanging tradition of these Lutheran worship practices. I could go on and on, but I don't want to bore everyone with my personal stories. Now I am looking forward to tonight's Lenten service even more. :thumbsup:[/QUOTE]
That's ok, I don't mind personal stories.
Tex, I think you did hit on something important about the liturgical service giving stabililty to the whole church and of the church members worshipping together as a body, not just church full of people worshipping as individuals.