The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has radically changed how many Christians do church, including how they participate in Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper.
What Is The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion?
In the Gospel accounts (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; and Luke 22:14-20), Jesus leads his disciples in partaking of the Passover meal of wine and unleavened bread. However, Christ puts a new spin on the traditional Jewish meal. He tells the disciples that the bread now represents his body that would be broken and the wine his blood that would be shed in the crucifixion. In the Christian teaching of the New Covenant, Christ’s crucifixion is a sacrificial death that results in the salvation of believers.
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29)
The Lord’s Supper is one of the few traditions Jesus instructed his disciples to continue in memory of sacrificial death. Different Christian denominations carry out the somber act in various ways. However, the main elements involve some kind of bread and wine, traditionally blessed by a pastor or priest. In some cases, Christians use crackers or wafers and grape juice.
How Christians Observe Communion Amid Coronavirus
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Christians have been forced to get creative and use whatever elements they have to observe the Lord’s Supper outside of a traditional church setting.
Here’s a look at how some Christians have been observing Communion at home amid the lockdown.
Is he serious, or pulling our leg? This man apparently plans to use donuts for Communion.
pastor said we taking communion from home this Easter sunday
it gonna taste rlly good this year ???? pic.twitter.com/N87G4pq55Z
— Logan Wilkerson (@logancadew) April 5, 2020
Reporter Eric Perry only had croutons for his Palm Sunday Lord’s Supper.
During Bedside Baptist service the pastor said to grab cracker and juice for communion… I only had croutons… so the Lord knows my heart and blesses me anyhow. Happy #PalmSunday ???????????? pic.twitter.com/TJfI9JAmwZ
— Eric Perry (@Ericperrytv) April 5, 2020
This observant used a milk drink as a substitute for wine or grape juice.
Communion Sunday ???????? pic.twitter.com/BNgcql1Rc7
— kathrinepernia08 (@kathrinepernia1) April 5, 2020
Hannah Rhoades had to use chocolate milk and a Goldfish cracker for her Communion elements.
https://twitter.com/rhoadeshannah_/status/1246913915612581888
This Instagram user’s family appeared to drink water as part of their observation of Holy Communion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-n3WGGlz3v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
One woman used grape jelly and potato chips to observe Holy Communion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-m_sVVpL3e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
