What Is Communion?

One of my all-time favorite outfits was my second-grade communion suit, which included white dress shoes! At that time, we were taught that you "received your first holy communion" around the second grade, which was preceded by going to Penance, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation. However, what I later learned was that there was more to communion than white shoes and sacramental traditions.

See, the practice of communion is rooted in Scripture, and that trumps man-made traditions. The Greek word for "communion" is koinōnia (κοινωνία), which in the New Testament signifies fellowship, sharing in common, joint participation, and a close relationship. In the context of communion, it represents being connected with the sacrificial death of Christ. Thus, communion is a lasting reminder of the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
Key Bible verses on communion emphasize the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus, the remembrance of His sacrifice, and the fellowship it represents. These verses can be found in Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, and in Paul's letters, specifically:

First Corinthians 10:16, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?"

First 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, 24 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.’ 25 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.’ 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 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. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body eat and drink judgment on themselves."

What we know from this passage and others is that every time we celebrate communion, we are not reenacting the events of Christ's death, nor are we believing that the elements change or have the power to save us. Instead, we approach communion with reverence and reflection on the cross, and with a prayerful focus on renewal.