Unity in the Lord's Supper

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
1 Corinthians 11:17-22
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Unity in the Lord's Supper
Here St. Paul confronts the Corinthians for their divisiveness during the Lord’s Supper. Instead of gathering as one body, they came together in selfishness, turning a holy meal into an occasion of shame. Paul’s rebuke serves as a warning to us today: the Lord's Supper is not just a meal; it’s a sacred participation in Christ’s true body and blood. When we approach this table with division, selfishness, or disregard for our fellow believers, we dishonor what Christ has done for us. The Lord's Supper is a gift for the Church, uniting us as one body in Christ. It calls us to examine ourselves, confess our sins, and approach with faith, knowing that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all. May we strive for unity and love within the body, mindful of the holy nature of this sacrament and the reconciliation it brings through Jesus’ cross.