The Prayer of Consecration Part 2

As we move along in the consecration prayer the act of remembering becomes a prominent theme. We hear the words of Jesus telling us to do this “in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11; Luke 22:19) The Greek work that is used for remembering is anamnesis. If you wake up one morning and have forgotten who you are you may have amnesia. Anamnesis is the opposite of amnesia. It is an un-forgetting of who you are. Humanity was created to be a companion to the Lord. We were created to be in His presence. What makes us truly human is so linked with God that we are said to be made in His image. How can we understand who we are unless we are in the presence of God? The sacrifice of Jesus opens our dark eyes to God’s presence and Fatherly love. 

The remembrance that Christ talks about is not recalling of fond memories. It is making the timeless Jesus and His sacrifice present in that very moment. Our sin has caused us to forget that God is present and loves us. The grace that is given to us in the Body and Blood of Christ is a remembering of this reality. This remembering has a real effect on our souls. It makes us more human.

One of my seminary professors spoke of anamnesis as the recovery of a person with a serious head injury who is forced to learn to walk all over again. They could do it once but no longer can. They forgot how. Through physical therapy and repeating the motions over and over again they relearn to use their legs. They can remember how to walk. God wants us to remember! He wants us to remember that we are His people. We are His creation and the objects of His affection. Just like therapy this is a process with slow and steady results that takes consistent effort.
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The presence of Christ in the Bread and Wine is unique. Christ is always present but His presence in the Eucharist is for a particular purpose. He is meant to be consumed. Jesus says, “Take, eat.” and “Drink this.” It is an act of faith that allows us to take Christ’s Body and Blood. Without this act of faith the elements of bread and wine have no power to give us God’s grace. It is through faithful reception that the Eucharist has any benefit. This is why the Anglican church proclaims that “The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them.” (BCP p.782)

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