Communion means participation in something common or at least open to all. It also signifies union—fellowship, mutual participation—in religious worship, doctrine, or discipline.
Simply put, communion is common union; with-oneness; hence, community. It began to be used for the sacrament of the Eucharist sometime in the 15th century. It was likely inspired by the verb commune, from the Old French comuner, meaning to make common or share.
I mention the above because I was raised in a somewhat Catholic tradition, and Catholics are usually quick to ask whether I partake in communion every Sunday. When I inform them that I do not generally join in, not even during Easter, they tend to dismiss me as a heretic or some such thing because communion is an essential part of Christian worship and attaining salvation in the Catholic tradition.
I have nothing against communion, per se. However, I still remember how callously the essentialness of the Eucharist and communion was dismissed a few short years ago.
During that time—many long months and, in some cases, longer than that—communion officially became non-essential.
I often wondered what Catholics who drummed on about the essentialness and indispensability of communion thought about the obsequious removal of such a vital component of their faith and tradition.
Similarly, I also wondered what Catholics were communing with during that time. In what, exactly, were they mutually participating, often quite willingly, eagerly, and obediently?
What was the with-oneness, the mutual participation the vast majority accepted with little more than a shrug?
Whatever it was, it was most unappealing—to say nothing of unsettling.
Simply put, communion is common union; with-oneness; hence, community. It began to be used for the sacrament of the Eucharist sometime in the 15th century. It was likely inspired by the verb commune, from the Old French comuner, meaning to make common or share.
I mention the above because I was raised in a somewhat Catholic tradition, and Catholics are usually quick to ask whether I partake in communion every Sunday. When I inform them that I do not generally join in, not even during Easter, they tend to dismiss me as a heretic or some such thing because communion is an essential part of Christian worship and attaining salvation in the Catholic tradition.
I have nothing against communion, per se. However, I still remember how callously the essentialness of the Eucharist and communion was dismissed a few short years ago.
During that time—many long months and, in some cases, longer than that—communion officially became non-essential.
I often wondered what Catholics who drummed on about the essentialness and indispensability of communion thought about the obsequious removal of such a vital component of their faith and tradition.
Similarly, I also wondered what Catholics were communing with during that time. In what, exactly, were they mutually participating, often quite willingly, eagerly, and obediently?
What was the with-oneness, the mutual participation the vast majority accepted with little more than a shrug?
Whatever it was, it was most unappealing—to say nothing of unsettling.
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