Communion meditation

Bread:

Clement of Alexandria, c. A.D. 190

Clement of Alexandria describes the Church of Christ like the bread offered in the Eucharist (or Thanksgiving). Like you, various members, who were once scattered amongst the fields of this world like so much wheat, you have been gathered together by our sovereign Harvester to be bundled up together here as one loaf (the church). He thinks too that the trials & troubles that buffet the church in this Age, rather than being ultimate problems, are more like the temporary fires that cook that bread. To this he says, “In truth it has risen through the fires of trails for the joy of the world, the Church, presented as fresh baked bread”, joined unto the body of Christ, through baptism & similar sufferings being refined like gold in fires of trial. (The Instructor I)

Wine:

Clement of Rome, AD 96

Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world. (1 Clement 7)

Book Reco: Interpreting the Parables by Craig L. Blomberg

In the last century, more studies of the parables were produced than for any other section of comparable length in the Bible. The problem is that most Bible readers are unlikely ever to know of most of them. In this substantially new and expanded edition, Craig Blomberg surveys and evaluates contemporary critical approaches to the parables, challenging the prevailing consensus and making his own important new contribution to parable studies. Within proper definitions and boundaries, the author defends a limited allegorical approach. In support of this view of parable interpretation, Blomberg not only sets forth theoretical considerations but devotes attention to all the major parables, providing brief interpretations that highlight the insights to be gained from his distinctive method. Interpreting the Parables can be read with profit by scholars, students, pastors and educated laypeople.

Enjoy!