Important things, no matter how many times they are repeated, should remain important, but our minds tend to have their ways of “diminishing returns” when it comes to repetition. Sadly, one such importance that easily gets diminished, is that of the Communion, 主餐 {zhu3-can1} (a.k.a. Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper). The upside is that within a month, we will have another chance to bring ourselves back to the Cross, recognize the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice, and partake in Communion with gratefulness, repentance, and soft hearts.
Communion is also a very special occasion for interpreters. Unlike worship sessions or sermons, it largely follows a typical format with reference to the same verses, making it friendly for interpreters to prepare in advance. Understandably, every church conducts it slightly differently, but a few elements are shared by most Protestant churches. (The Eucharist of Catholicism is beyond my ken.)
Preamble
The pastor usually starts by preparing the congregation for Communion because it’s crucial to inform and direct the new attendees, Christians or not, through every stage of this ceremony. That is why it’s equally important to interpret this part clearly and accurately, specifically that Christ made Communion for all Christians, so non-believers should not take the bread or the cup. However, they are welcomed to be baptized soon into the family of God and enjoy fellowship with the Lord. These need to be communicated with clarity and compassion.
Verses
Apostle Paul already made the perfect demonstration of Communion in 1 Corinthians 11. It should be very familiar to us because our pastors follow faithfully in prayer and direction during our Communion.
哥林多前書 11:23-29 我當日傳給你們的，原是從主領受的，就是主耶穌被賣的那一夜，拿起餅來， 祝謝了，就擘開，說：「這是我的身體，為你們捨的，你們應當如此行，為的是記念我。」 飯後，也照樣拿起杯來，說：「這杯是用我的血所立的新約，你們每逢喝的時候，要如此行，為的是記念我。」 你們每逢吃這餅，喝這杯，是表明主的死，直等到他來。所以，無論何人，不按理吃主的餅，喝主的杯，就是干犯主的身、主的血了。 人應當自己省察，然後吃這餅、喝這杯。 因為人吃喝，若不分辨是主的身體，就是吃喝自己的罪了。
1 Corinthians 11:23-29 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christeat and drink judgment on themselves.
*Emphasis added for commonly cited portions
Other verses include that of Christ’s suffering, “…the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5), or “…因他受的刑罰，我們得平安；因他受的鞭傷，我們得醫治” (以賽亞書 53:5).
Also about forgiveness of sin, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9), or “我們若認自己的罪，上帝是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。” (約翰一書 1:9).
Additional Comments
By sharing the same bread, we are one body in Christ.
Jesus’ blood has the power to forgive and heal.
We remain in the Lord and He in us.
Although the above is in no way the golden standard for Communion, it should enable interpreters to face a Communion Sunday with confidence, while leaving enough room in their hearts to thoroughly participate in this sacred ceremony for themselves.
Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash