Even the Crumbs

After the Divine Service this past Sunday I was gently, and rightly, admonished in regard to breaking the Host over the Ciborium after it was consecrated. This admonishment I receive gladly, and can only think it is a lack of comprehension on my part as to how the proper altar manner escaped me (besides that I had never been taught in this specific practice).

The Sacrament of the Altar often does not receive the reverence it deserves. I happen to be an unfortunate example of one who lacks comprehension when it comes to what is truly laid out for mortal flesh to receive thereby, and will remain so unless and until the Lord deals with me in a manner that causes me better to comprehend the breadth and depth of His grace and mercy.

In thinking this through a bit further, it occurred to me that there must be occasions where the Lord’s body and blood are ultimately not consumed. There is absolutely no way to avoid the loss of a small portion of the sacramental elements to the balance of creation – those places where body, soul, and spirit are not present, and thus not in need of the preservation obtained through the forgiveness of sins.

One could think through the Supper as it was instituted and scarcely imagine any of the disciples or the Lord Jesus scrambling to make sure not a single crumb or drop was lost. We do not have a word on that. It is out of a confession that upholds the reality of Who is bodily present that we take care to treat the consecrated elements with the utmost respect and reverence and consume them together as we have been taught from Above.

But when it comes to these tiny portions that are lost, what shall we say?

"Even the crumbs . . . ." Yes, perhaps. Even more, however, this body and blood is not only the subject and object of those who consume it, but also the subject and object of all creation, so that where the Lord’s body and blood are distributed, even if they do not enter into the mouths of mortals, they sanctify those places whereupon they are distributed, whether it be His altar, His sanctuary, or any place where His word of forgiveness is preached and administered. We do not have a word on that, either, but what else could we possibly make of it?

Let these words in no way be understood as license to treat the consecrated elements with any less reverence than they deserve, but let them serve as small comfort for those who administer His gifts with not only fear and trembling, but also a small dose of muddle-headedness.
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