The ritual of communion can have many different symbolic interpretations in its role of remembrance of the life and teachings of Jesus.
The same is true of the music we sing to accompany the ritual. Composer Marty Haugen used text from the 1st century Didache when he wrote, “As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill were gathered into one to become our bread, so may all your people from all the ends of earth be gathered into one in you.” (New Century Hymnal #783)
The historic communion liturgy from the Didache is posted in Resources. It’s worth a look to see how an early non-Pauline community celebrated the meal.
Here is bread and here is wine,
Food and drink we savor with delight;
Now upon this altar blessed,
Moving us beyond our taste and sight.
For deeper love we spread the bread
I won’t be full till all are fed
Till every soul has home and bed
The rest of us can’t move ahead
The invitation is announced
To greatest and to least;
For all are welcome; “Come with us;
Share this symbolic feast.”
