What Makes Communion Work?

What makes Communion "work?"

We have worked with about 43 2-5 graders to prepare them for their first communion on Maundy Thursday, April 21st. During our studies, they have asked the question, "When it a person old enough to receive communion?"

I received my first communion on the day I was confirmed. The message I received was that what made communion work was enduring three years of confirmation classes.

In the 80's, first communion age dropped to about 10. It was separated as a reward for "graduating" from confirmation classes. What seemed to make communion "work" was enough knowledge about the sacrament. You didn't need to ace the SAT's but you had to have a working knowledge of what you were doing.

Not too much later, many churches advocated for infant communion, as they often celebrate in the Orthodox Church. The message? Just as baptism "works" for an infant who does not decide or understand the sacrament, what makes communion work is the Holy Spirit and not the knowledge or belief of the individual.

In determining the correct age for communion, we have settled in on second grade. Why? I've thought in terms of what Luther said that makes communion work. It's not a graduation gift or based on how well you score on a test or even in the physical act of digestion bread and wine. What makes communion work is the believing heart.

That's why as we offer communion here for second graders, but we always leave it up to the discretion of the parents. Some see faith in their child before this age while others choose to delay first communion until there is a longing for the sacrament by the child.

How about you? When did you receive your first communion? What message did you receive subconsciously about what makes communion "work?"

Peace,
Pastor Scott