Like many people who grew up in Catholic school, I remember my first communion. I recall taking classes to learn about the Eucharist, the fear of going in to make my first confession to the priest behind the confessional screen, being dressed like a bride in a white gown and veil, then being worried about how to hold my hands as I took a perfectly round, whole, unleavened wafer and a sip of red wine. Afterwards, it was time for cake and celebration — I was now able to take communion, to participate in the bread and wine.
Yet, when I look back on this today, what I remember feeling at the time is not the Lord, but all the physical details and self-conscious feelings of the ritual. Did any of this have anything to do with the true meaning of communion? I did not understand the true meaning of communion — the breaking of bread — until much later. And even for many adult believers today, I know how easy it is just to have a surface or religious understanding, yet miss the true experience of Him.
Recently, a sister shared about when to break bread. She brought us to Luke 24 when two disciples were conversing about the Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection on the way to Emmaus. As they were walking, Jesus joined them but they did not recognize Him. He asked them what they were conversing about, and they seemed perplexed that He didn’t know about Jesus who was crucified and who was to redeem Israel! Then the Lord explained to them clearly in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. But they still didn’t recognize Him. Eventually as they drew near to their destination, they asked Him to stay with them, which He did, and together they reclined at table. It wasn’t until the Lord took bread and broke it and began handing it to them that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Something was rekindled inside. And then He physically disappeared.
Are we not just like those two disciples? Many times, I have found myself caught up in religious excitement only to realize I missed the Lord Himself. But the moment we break bread is the moment our eyes are opened and we see Him. What about in our daily life — when we see a brother or sister — shouldn’t we remind that one and be reminded ourselves of Him? When we see Him again, when our eyes are opened, that is when the bread is broken. He showed up to those disciples to remind them that He’s with them, though not physically. Hence, as soon as their eyes were opened, He disappeared. Similarly, how often we forget Him, only looking at the physical things.
Breaking bread isn’t just a special occasion that happens at a meeting or “service.” After the Lord disappeared from the two disciples, they immediately recalled that their hearts had been burning while He was speaking to them on the road (v. 32). Afterward, they couldn’t help but tell the others of what had happened, the experience on the road and how He was made known to them through the breaking of bread. And in that moment, the Lord again appeared to them, and they ate again, they broke bread again! Whenever we recognize the burning in our hearts, whenever we truly remember Him, whenever our eyes are opened to see Him, we are breaking bread. Acts 2:46 says, “And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with exultation and simplicity of heart.” Saints, how I look forward to our coming together with eyes open to His presence!
– LU