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Contemplative Eucharist
by The Rev. Jim Williams
It is 5:15 p.m. late on a Sunday afternoon. What’s going on in the church? A few people have gathered in silence on the west side of the Sanctuary. Some pick up a folded card with a sparse liturgy outlined on it. A small altar table is set in front with a candle burning. The lighting is subdued. A credence table near the altar holds the implements and elements for Holy Communion. A cross stands behind. A chair and a small table sit to one side, with Bibles and a brass bowl with striker to serve as a bell. The Contemplative Holy Eucharist is about to begin.
What is a Contemplative Holy Eucharist? Basically it is a service that is steeped in silence. It has been said that silence is the first language of God. It is in silence that we grow, we heal, we open to God. We observe the “rule of silence,” which means that everyone protects the silence of others. We enter and leave in silence and people may remain until they are ready to leave.
The Liturgy of the Word begins. The priest enters in silence, and a simple opening prayer is prayed in unison. Typically there are three readings. These may include a selection from the works of the great devotional masters, selections from the Old Testament and the Epistles, the words of a hymn read as a poem, or other poetry or prayers. One selection is always from the Gospels. Selections are often read from different translations or versions. Readings are not from the lectionary for a given Sunday, but always reflect the seasonal themes of the church year. Following each reading is a period of silence for reflection of at least five minutes duration. Each period of silence ends with a bell.
The prayers follow the outline of the Prayers of the People. We pray for “the whole state of Christ’s Church, and the World.” The prayers are structured by biddings, followed by silences for individual petitions and intercessions.
Now the service moves forward into the Liturgy of the Table (based on “An order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist,” BCP 400-402, sometimes referred to as “Rite III”). The table is set in silence. A simple and informal Eucharistic Prayer is prayed for the Blessing of the Bread and Wine, following the familiar pattern of “take, bless, break, give.” After the Lord’s Prayer comes the Communion of the People, as usual, followed by a period of silence. Finally, the Prayer of Thanksgiving is prayed in unison (the prayer of St. Francis), followed by the Blessing and the Dismissal, on or before 6:00 p.m. The priest leaves in silence, and remains available following the service for prayers or consultation.
This service has become a tradition at St. Matthew’s. It is always announced in the Weekly Word and it seems a good time to focus on it here, with some simple explanations. It is always an option for us in our life together in worship. This is what goes on at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday afternoons at St. Matthew’s.
Almighty God, in whose presence we are always present, draw us in your vast silence, to open to you, that we may receive grace and courage to move from contemplation into action, and then return us to contemplation, as was the pattern of our Lord, Jesus Christ. May we continue to come more deeply into your silence and to go forth more fully into your world. We pray in Christ’s name, Amen.
