Last year, after lock-down, I can't even begin to espress the joy I felt to be able to once again take Holy Communion with a Church family. Today is the day we give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist.

Holy Communion is the re-enactment of the last supper, the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. It was actually the Passover sedar, but Jesus knew that this time death was not going to Passover him. He gave us specific instructions (see our Gospel reading) and said to do this in his memory. The Messianic Shabbat said on Friday nights on this website and the Eucharist (Holy Communion) said in Christian Church’s throughout the world is in obedience to his instruction.

When I receive the Eucharist, I sense such a relief knowing that I am leaning, not on another person's prayers or another person's faith, but upon my simple trust in God's covenant! Jesus is true to His covenant He established with His Body and Blood.

The Bible states that “by his stripes we are healed”, the whipping he bore on his body....therefore any who are sick should seek to take Holy Communion as in the “bread of Life” his body. The wine, his blood, of redemption from sin. Ask God for your healing when you receive Holy Communion. It’s an objective source of healing, not dependent on the gift of healing, e.g. "God did extraordinary miracles through the apostles" That is based on the gift of healing and the miraculous. But with the Eucharist, it does not depend on someone else with an extraordinary gift of healing.

I had been unwell for quite some time, I prayed and felt led to take Holy Communion at home every evening at bedtime, like you do with taking medication. I am NOT a priest but I prayed over the piece of bread and a capful of wine or juice (depending on what I had) and asked for my healing and drank in his memory. Within a month my health changed. I only ceased taking Communion at home to assess the change and adjust, as my medication was changed by my doctor, I believe in answer to that prayer.

But taking Holy Communion in corporate prayer with a church family or group is such a blessing and so I am truly thankful that the first Sunday we were able to meet together after being in lock-down, we shared the Eucharist. So today along with you all I shall be thanking God for his blessing us with this wonderful ritual.