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Sacrament
of Holy Qurbana - Celebration of Salvation
John 6:55-59
Vs. 56 & 57. Those who eat my flesh and drink my
blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and
I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.
The Holy Qurbana plays an important part in the life of a
Christian, whether they take it seriously or not. For some it’s a
spiritual experience with a specific meaning. Some others find in it a
satisfaction which they don’t bother to describe or verbalize. For still
others it is an often repeated ritual. However, on the one hand, it’s an
experience beyond description but on the other, the attempts of
description enrich the experience.
1. It’s
an experience of communion with Christ.
Through the incarnation, God shared his Son with the world.
Through his life and death, Jesus himself opens up an opportunity
for the world to experience eternal life by participating in his life-
his body and blood. This participation should not be seen as limited to
the taking of bread and wine but as leading us to the elevated experience
of abiding in Christ or being one with Christ. As the bread and wine
becomes an inseparable part of our body, the abiding in Christ experience
denotes a state where it would be impossible to draw the distinction
between us and Christ. The usage “…abide in me, and I in them” points to
this symbiotic relationship. It’s the relationship in the Trinity. The
expression “I live because of the Father” shows the intensity of
relationship in the Trinity”. Jesus expects such an intense relationship
from those who participate in his body and blood. It’s also a willingness
to participate in the death of Christ.
2. It’s an entry into the life eternal.
Eternal life is the theme around which the fourth
gospel revolves. The purpose of incarnation, as John puts it, is eternal
life for all humanity. It should not be seen only as life after death,
but as the abundance of life, experienced in this world, that transcends
death. It’s a life that death cannot conquer. A mundane life concentrated
on the material world seeks the bread of this world to nurture it. Such a
life will be totally engaged in satisfying the need of the body. Jesus,
however, offers a life that looks beyond the mundane and transient
affairs to that which is everlasting. The bread from heaven enriches us
with the potential to rise beyond the priorities of this transitory world
so that we inherit the glorified life. For John, Jesus’ glorification was
the crucifixion. Invitation to the Lord’s table is an invitation to that
glory.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be immersed in you so that those who see
me, see God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What are the priorities in our life? Transient or eternal.
Rev Denny Philip,
Diocesan/Bishop's Secretary
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