Mar. 9, 2026
These are hidden reefs at your love (agape) feasts…(Jude 12)
The Agape Meal, or love feast, was a practice of the early Church and is still present in some Churches today. Agape is one word used in Greek that is translated as love in English and usually references the unconditional love of God.
The Agape Meal was originally associated with the Sacrament of the Altar at least to the extent that they were both done during Sunday services.
Today, when Churches have Agape Meals, they usually represent either charitable meals for those in need (hence Love as charity) or as a fellowship meal much like our modern pot-luck dinners (hence Love as fellowship).
Both are good uses of an Agape Meal concept that are in keeping with Biblical references. Certainly, the Lord’s Supper is a love feast in its own right. Jesus shows us His love for us by offering His Body and Blood for our forgiveness. But Lutherans generally accept this as a practice separate from the Sacrament of the Altar.
Dear Jesus, thank You always for all You have done for us and the great love You have shown us. – Amen.
Mar. 10, 2026
“…with repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us…on the cross.” (LSB DS1 Prayer of Thanksgiving)
“Repentant Joy.” Should we receive the Sacrament in awe or with joy? Well, in true Lutheran style the answer is, “both/and.” We should receive the supper in pure awe of the fact that God would humble Himself even to the point of death to save poor miserable sinners such as ourselves. However, our souls and every fiber in our being should be shouting out with joy over the fact that God has given us forgiveness and new life in this sacrament.
So, it is truly proper to approach the table in humble awe, acknowledging that you are a poor miserable sinner in need of forgiveness and in sorrow that your God had to die for you. In need of a new chance. But it is also just as proper to leave the table in exuberant joy that the very forgiveness and new life you needed has just been received by you in the very Body and Blood of your Savior Jesus Christ.
Look at it as Law and Gospel. You are a sinner in need of forgiveness, act like it. You are a saint forgiven and given a new life in Christ, act like it.
Dearest Lord, help us always to approach Your table in the fear of Your holiness and in the joy of Your Grace and Mercy. In Jesus’ Name, – Amen.
Mar. 11, 2026
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. (1 Cor. 11: 28)
Obviously, as this was written around AD 55, the idea of examining yourself before you take the Sacrament is not a new one. It is not Catholic, or Lutheran, or Protestant. It is older than any of these designations. No matter what your view on the Sacrament, as Holy Rite or simple remembrance meal, there should be some level of preparation before the eating of this meal. From a Lutheran perspective, this is because the Sacrament has power because it is God’s work in us.
There are many different ways people prepare themselves to receive the Sacrament. The Bible does not explicitly state how we should prepare, Luther had this to say. “That person is truly worth and well prepared who has faith in these words: ‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Small Catechism)
This week we will examine some ways that Christians prepare themselves for the Sacrament, but remember, if you believe Jesus died for you, and forgives your sins in Communion, you are prepared.
Dearest Heavenly Father, help us to always take the Sacrament seriously and properly prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Your Son. – Amen.
Mar. 12, 2026
For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way… (1 Tim. 4:8)
Some people, when preparing for the Sacrament fast. Not a long fast, they just don’t eat in the morning before they come to the Lord’s Table. The thought is that, at least on that day, the very first thing they take into their body is the Body and Blood of their Lord and Savior.
Fasting is also a practice that is associated with repentance. Certainly, repentance is something that should be done before receiving Communion. So, if fasting helps with your process of repentance, or if it is just a piece of piety that helps with your faith, by all means fast.
But bodily preparation is not the end of preparation. As Paul writes to Timothy, “godliness is of value in every way.” Certainly, preparation should include an effort on your part to live in Gods will and, when you fail, seeking forgiveness and new strength in His Holy Supper.
Dearest Jesus, help us always to prepare to receive you in true repentance. Send Your Holy Spirit upon us that we may come to Your table in true faith, humility, and a desire to walk more in Your paths. In Your holy Name we pray. – Amen.
Mar. 13, 2026
Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mt. 3:2)
Repentance is a theme of the entire Lenten Season. It is a time when we examine our lives and try to find ways to more fully integrate God’s will into our daily living. Repentance simply means turning away from your sinful ways and towards God.
In approaching the Lord’s Table, you approach both God (in the Body and Blood) and His kingdom (in the sense of the foretaste of the Wedding Feast). Certainly, repentance is a means of preparation for such an event.
Therefore, one way to examine yourself before approaching the Lord’s Table, is to simply reflect on your life. Consider in what ways you are living in keeping with God’s will and what ways you may not be living in keeping with His will. Prayerfully consider how you can turn from your sinful ways and turn towards God. God is waiting to help you be more what He wants you to be.
Precious Holy Spirit, thank You for coming into my life through God’s Word and Baptism and for guiding me towards true repentance and holy living. – Amen.
Mar. 14, 2026
So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. (Mt. 5:23-24)
Although from the Sermon on the Mount and not any reference to the Sacrament of the Altar, this advice has often been associated with receiving Communion by the Church. The Idea is, if you have damaged relationships in your life, this is certainly something that is worth repenting of and doing your best to resolve before you take Communion. In order to assist with this, many Churches will have a “Sharing of the Peace” prior to receiving the Sacrament of the Altar. This helps ensure that all of the members of Christ’s Body, the Church, are at peace with one another prior to Communion.
So, if you are preparing to take Communion, one thing to consider is repenting of any anger or animosity between you and others. Do your best to repair relationships. But if they are not willing, do not neglect the Table for this reason.
Dearest Lord, help us always to live in peace with each other, at least as much as it depends on us. – Amen.
Mar. 15, 2026
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6)
The Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus reminds us to, “…take it to the Lord in prayer.” And so, the simplest method of preparing for the Lord’s Supper is through prayer. The Lutheran Church is rich in resources that help us understand and perform our faith and so it is not surprising that we have a tool for that. Actually, several tools.
Some of the most accessible are in the hymnal, the Lutheran Service Book. If you open your front cover, you will find several prayers for worship. Amongst these is a prayer for “Before Communing.” A similar prayer is found on pg. 308; “For right reception of the Lord’s Supper.”
Either of these prayers, or one just from your heart, reflect on what you are doing by partaking in the Lord’s supper and determining if you are truly repentant and seeking the Lord’s forgiveness will help ensure our readiness for His gifts.
Eternal Father, help us to always be prepared to receive Your precious gifts and never to despise them. In Jesus’ Name we pray, – Amen