Communion Thoughts

A Durrell Discourse

Communion Thoughts (my own, that is):

Transubstantiation = At the Eucharist, the bread and wine are miraculously transformed into Jesus himself.

Consubstantiation = The spirit of Jesus is present with and in the elements of Holy Communion.

Memorial Feast = The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of Jesus’ ministry and death (also remembering that the Last Supper was a Passover meal).

Divine Oneness = Ritualistically sharing bread and cup together to remind us of our unity (union) with (comm) with all people, all life, and with the Source of life.

Over the last 50+ years, I have held (at different times) EACH of those sacramental views. NONE of them, in my opinion and experience, necessitates excluding anyone from the Table for their beliefs, political views, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Whether, for you, the Bread is divine, or the bread is just bread, there is nothing about the Bread that should be weaponized to control, hurt, shame or exclude others. 

Your sacramental theology is your own, and you are entitled to it, but if you are using it to hurt, shame, control, or denigrate others, you are missing the point of it (regardless of what you believe “It” is) being a symbol (or affirmation) of grace. 

Jesus said, “Whenever you do this, remember me” - 

pro-choicers, LGBTQ+ folk, divorced people, non-baptized folk,  - everyone, just as they are, can follow that simple directive. Remember the loving, compassionate, justice-seeking Jesus, who fed people spiritually and physically, no questions asked. 

—Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins

Senior Minister, Sunshine Cathedral 

#OpenTable #StopWeaponizingFaith