Jesus said, “This is my Body, and this is My Blood,” indicating at least a spiritual presence to us when we celebrate Holy Communion. And the very word comm-union itself means with union. This form of remembrance is/can be a time, a way of deep encounter and union with Him. Something that includes Calvary, but goes beyond recalling His sacrifice for each and all of us, but invites spiritual union with Him. It looks forward in that sense. Calvary is a turning point as well as a “finished work.”
Jesus promised to never leave us, nor forsake us. He returned to the Father, and sent the Holy Spirit, Who is also called the Spirit of Christ, as well as the Spirit of God. Jesus is present to us and in us spiritually. Holy Communion is a time and way we can focus on and encounter Him more deeply and absorb His Spirit, The Spirit of Christ, and all that He IS.
Liturgical churches generally celebrate Holy Communion more frequently than evangelical denominations, typically every Sunday, and seem to have better grasped its formational value of deep encounter and spiritual communion with the Lord. The Orthodox churches are unique I think, in administering Holy Communion to infants and children. I once heard an Orthodox priest, speaking to a non-Orthodox church group, that even infants seem to sense something special and real when they receive the elements. A good analogy would be infants and children know instinctively that food is good for them, nourishing, even though they might not be able to say or understand why.
A Holy Communion or Infilling Prayer
At some point while raising my young family, I felt a strong desire for daily personal and family Holy Communion in the morning, to start everyone’s day before each went their separate ways. But it needed to be different than we received each Sunday from a priest or pastor. I asked the Holy Spirit for a Communion prayer. He very quickly inspired one, and I wrote it out. Over the years I began to notice how spiritually transformative it was in my life. As I grew spiritually, the Holy Spirit suggested modifications, so that instead of asking for the Lord to be present in the Bread and Wine, it became thanking Him for His Presence, with or without the elements of bread and wine. And further, that His Presence was within me.About 4 years ago, He asked me to call it an Infilling Prayer. It is a blessing with or without actual Holy Communion elements. In ALL cases, it is a prayer that needs to be slowly meditated, recognizing and absorbing the truth of each part or aspect. It can be meditated even while driving one’s car. It can even be further simplified to focus words. It is not the form, but the essence and spirit that matters and one absorbs to bring into union and oneness and identity in Christ. I share it with you next in its thanksgiving form.
The Infilling Prayer
For Personal Communion with the Lord
(with or without elements of bread and wine
(To be very slowly meditated)
Lord, I thank You for Your Presence in me and with me.(with or without elements of bread and wine
(To be very slowly meditated)
That You feed my heart with Your Love
My mind with Your Will and Word, Your Wisdom and Ways
My body with Your Strength and Health
My soul with Your Peace and Joy.
Help me to be mindful of Your Eternal Life in me all this day,
To freely share all Your blessings with others,
To love with Your Love,
To heal with Your compassion,
To forgive with Your humility.
Remind me to present all my daily cares to You in trusting faith,
To listen for Your Guidance,
And to joy in Your Divine Will.
Amen.
In ALL things be guided by the Holy Spirit, and be open and flexible to His suggestions. The goal is union and oneness with the Lord, absorbing and growing more and more into His Image and likeness.
Be Blessed.
Carole Robinson
A God Listener
12/24/2015
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