“Just do it!” “Do or Die!” “Do it, lady!” And as Yoda said, “Do or do not; there is no try.” There is another one. At the Passover meal on that faithful night before Jesus gave himself up for us, he said, “Do this, in remembrance of me.” “Do this!” (1) It may be helpful to remember that the word “maundy” in Maundy Thursday means “mandate.”
So, what do we do? As the church has examined the passages in which Jesus used these words, a pattern has developed and become part of our official teachings. We do more than come forward and receive bread and juice as individuals – much more. First we GATHER, as the disciples did. Next, we TELL THE STORY OF SALVATION, including the words of institution, where Jesus says, “do this.” Then, we INVOKE THE HOLY SPIRIT, asking that the gifts before us be the life of Christ for us. We call this the Epiclesis – a Greek word meaning “call down” or “summon from above.” And then we PARTAKE, in COMMUNITY. Each one receives a small piece of the larger loaf, signifying that we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. Receiving a part of the loaf, in this context, is so much better than receiving the whole loaf as an individual, for this loaf connects us to heaven itself. Through it all we give thanks. The Greek word for thanksgiving, used by Jesus as he held up the elements, was a form of the word EUCHARIST.
This pattern has little transformative effect if we do not participate, if we do not “do this.” As Wesleyans, we are called to do all of this in a disciplined, intentional, AND regular way. With this act, communion becomes for us a CONSTITUTIVE ACT/META-NARRATIVE/CORE PATTERN, giving us a MODEL or METHOD for how we are to live. This worship experience invites us to live according to the pattern revealed in communion. We intentionally gather with others in grace; we seek to live as a part of God’s story of salvation; we attend to the calling of the Holy Spirit; and we sit at tables with others, where we practice the virtues of love and of holiness – patience, kindness, and a humility that does not insist on its own way.
In a church that I served, a man in the congregation built a beautiful communion table for a new worship service. On the first Sunday of its use, I said something about this table being God’s table, not ours, and the man broke down in tears. He had heard the line often, but it hit in a new way. He had made a table that became God’s table where all are welcomed.
That’s what we do, and we do this because of what God does first. While we often think of the method of Methodism as something we do, Wesley actually speaks more often of God’s method to bring us to life. It all starts with what God does first. (This will be the primary theme for next week). Here we note that communion is a MEANS OF GRACE. While we are called to participate in this means as a regular and disciplined practice, communion is primarily a way in which God communicates grace to us. When we forget this and make these “means” only about what we do, we put ourselves in spiritual danger.
Another word for this is SACRAMENT. In Wesley’s day, some Protestants moved away from this term, preferring words like “ordinance” or “memorial.” Wesley maintained the language of sacrament. A sacrament, by definition, concerns something God has promised to do. Elements of the earth – water, bread, juice – are used to connect us to God’s grace. And, in turn, we are strengthened to live sacramentally in the world – as tangible, material signs of God’s grace.
As Wesleyans, we do not spend too much time focusing on what happens to the bread and cup. We call this a HOLY MYSTERY. (2) Our focus is on what God does in and through us as we share in this act where God has promised to be present.
This week when we will participate together in WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY, some general reminders might be inspiring. As the sun moves from east to west on this day, through many languages, cultures, and denominations, siblings in Christ will participate in this means of grace, this sacrament, this holy mystery.
Charles Wesley gives this all a poetic voice. Through our partaking in the “mysterious bread,” may the volumes of God’s grace be unsealed; may our eyes and hearts be opened to know the Lord, and to know that God and love are one. (3) As we participate in this glorious procession of grace around the world, may we all be strengthened to reflect this love. May we reflect on what we “share in common,” which is what the word “communion” means.
Coming Next Week:
This post is part of a series entitled “Means and Methods.” There will be others as we go along, but not necessarily in a row. Next Week, we will explore how Wesley uses these words. Some will be surprised.
Notes and a Deeper Dive
1. In Wesley’s sermon, Duty of Constant Communion, he outlines why we should not neglect this sacrament. First, we do this because Christ commanded it. Christ said, “Do this,” and said this to all at the table. Secondly, we do this because of the benefits. In this sacrament there is forgiveness of sin, refreshment for the soul, and strength for ministry. This sacrament is a “mercy from God to humanity.” Wesley also addresses several objections. One is around feelings of unworthiness. We are not unworthy to obey God when he says, “Do this.” This feeling can serve to make us more grateful. Another (of many) is the objection that regular communion can “abate our reverence for the sacrament.” Wesley doesn’t buy it. Reverence in relationships grows when more time and energy is given to them, not less.
2. In a devotion, I once asked: “When is bread more than bread?” “It is like asking when a flower is more than a plant or a ring more than metal? As human beings, we love to assign meaning and see things as sacramental symbols, connecting the ordinary to the transcendent. Holy Communion does this for us. It is a physical act that communicates God’s grace to us...” Found in my book, Awakening Through Wilderness: Lent, Easter and Pentecost Inspired by the Sermons of John Wesley (Market Square Books, 2026). Within there is also a reflection centered around our official resource, This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion (Discipleship Resources, 2014).
3. See the Hymn “O Thou Who This Mysterious Bread” #613 in the UM Hymnal. Also see “Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast” (#616/#339) and Come Let Us Sweet Join (#699). In these Charles Wesley hymns, holy communion is clearly seen as a sacrament. In these hymns, we are invited to “take what Jesus has to give.” We are invited to “taste the goodness of God” and to “eat Christ’s flesh and drink his blood.” As we come forward to receive, we are invited to behold Christ’s sacrifice and his offering for us.
Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts has served as a pastor, a director of conference ministries, a delegate to General Conference, a retreat leader, and a teacher of United Methodist history and doctrine. He is married with three grown children and two grandchildren. He likes to take time each day to write and play guitar as a part of his devotional life. He is the author of four books based on John Wesley sermons which can be found at marketsquarebooks.com.