One part of the Rule of the Order of St. Luke the Physician says, I will make my communion regularly. There is no definition of regularly. Each of us has to find that rhythm of life as God reveals it to us. My personal practice is to commune twice a week. Some of my brothers and sisters in Christ are led to commune once a month or once a quarter. Since it is Jesus' command that we "Do this," I suggest that each of us ask Him what He has in mind for us. He knows what He wants for you far better than anyone else.

There have been many ideas put forth about what we receive when we receive Communion. "Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to His disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them saying, 'Drink of it, all of you; for this is my Blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" Mt26:26

However we explain what occurs when we set apart the bread and cup at Holy Communion, we must see two things. It was important enough for Jesus to take the last hour that He had with His disciples, and give them this one thing to do. He seemed to be clear about it. This is my body. This is my blood.

This is not blood which you are offering to God. You are forbidden to eat or to drink of that blood. This is the blood that God is offering to you that His life might be in you, and you might dwell in Christ and Christ in you. When Paul writes that we participate in the blood of Christ, he is saying that we are participating in the Life of Christ.

Jesus makes the statement in John's Gospel that confirms this. "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." Jn 6:53

Rather than argue about what actually happens, let us say that in the action of partaking of the bread and the cup, we are in some way partaking of the Life of Christ. My personal opinion is that we are receiving the Word of God made flesh in bread and wine. Even if we interpret the Lord's Supper to be a memorial, we must say that it brings with it an effect of being in communion with the crucified, dead, buried, risen and ascended Lord who has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age. Mt 28:20

He has promised that He would dwell in us and we would dwell in Him. He has come to take up residence in our lives. We are to be made one with Him as He is one with Father, and He prays that we might be made one with each other as well as with Him. Jn 17

When we receive Communion in whatever fashion, we might visualize the presence of Jesus going into every part of our body, permeating every cell, bringing new life to each part of the body that is dis eased. We might visualize the blood of Jesus circulating in our own cardiovascular system, bringing light into every part of our body as He cleanses the blood vessels and takes His healing presence into every part where there is dis ease.

It is simply a matter of taking Jesus at His Word, and receiving the gift of His presence within us. Where He is received, His presence is manifested in new life. I am convinced that is why He gave us this healing practice when we come together with one another and with Him.

I am sure there are many ways in which people approach the sacrament of Holy Communion with Jesus. I have never been one to deride anyone for their faith in what occurs at Communion. I am simply recommending that people who are seeking healing from the risen and present Lord, visualize what is actually taking place, and allow Jesus to have access to our selves, our souls, our bodies, our minds, our spirits, and our relationships to touch and to heal us within.

It is well not to hurry through such a time of communion as if it is something to complete and get on with the important work of the Lord. This is the important work of the Lord. This is one of the building blocks of the Kingdom. It is the reception of the presence of Jesus within, that we might be healed and equipped with the wholeness and resources to become His presence for those to whom He sends us to minister in His Name. "He who receives you, receives Me, and he who receives me, receives Him who sent Me." Mt 10:40

It is well to be still with Him. Allow Him to have His way within us, to make known the creative power of His love to restore our lives to the measure of health that we need to perform the purpose for which He created us and to which He has called us today.

The suggestions in this tract have been tried by many people who have found in them a release of the power of God for healing within them. It is simply one of the ways in which the Healing Christ comes to work His will within us to prepare us to minister in the power of His Holy Name.