*Originally published March 22, 2016

Communion is a radical sacrament. That is meant two ways. One is the notion that when an act or idea is radical it is “over the top”, extreme. The other way is that radical goes to the root of an idea or belief.
When Jesus and the disciples shared the Passover meal he gave it a new meaning. Passover was for the Jews a joyous celebration rooted in God’s delivering the Hebrews from the Egyptians. Sharing the Passover was radical in that sense. And it was also “over the top”. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him and yet he was not prevented from sharing fully in the meal. Judas’s participation did not stop his betrayal, but it may have planted the seed of repentance when he came to terms with what he did. It was a meal of abnegation—Jesus’ present and future sacrifice of self.

In societies where deference is given to certain persons, because of status, wealth, or other reasons, the equality at Eucharist is remarkable. When we receive communion, the famous or rich, the powerful or beautiful do not get preferential treatment. They don’t come first, get a larger wafer or piece of bread or get more wine or juice. The person with an addiction or mental illness, a thief or liar is not prevented, although the invitation to communion in many Protestant churches reminds us to come humbly confessing our sins. The young child or person with dementia—both of whom it would be easy to argue don’t understand the sacrament—are served.
When you receive the simple elements of the earth, rejoice in your equality with all who commune, and revel in its radical roots.