05-12-2011, 02:55 AM
Thirdwoe Wrote:Brother Paul, you pointed me to 1st Corinthians 10:17 which says: "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."
If you believe that this "One Bread" is talking about the Holy Malka, and it only exists today with the Church of The East, then those who do not have this "One Bread" are not One Bread or One Body with those who have the One Bread and are partakers of it.
That is the way it seems to be, if we read that straight and it is talking about the Holy Malka. The Holy Malka, is more than symbolic bread...in that it containes the real blood of Christ, by a miracle of God.
Am I not seeing this right?
I don't want to get nutty about this, but if The Church of The East has this as a reality, and the others do not, then why would that be the case, and what does that say about The Church of The East?
Honestly, perhaps the CoE reads 1st Corinthians 10:17 a bit too literally, but in any case it is one of the Sacraments in the Church. It's really not made the center of adoration, not much is made of it despite the potential significance of it. It's kept in a jar on the altar and mixed in with the offering, and renewed once a year. It's given to a new parish every time one is founded. And so the tradition continues...
I'm not purposely sidestepping your other questions. I think the CoE intentionally keeps this a low-key type of thing, if for anything just to make sure the Malka is not treated as if it's an idol.
Whether one believes the tradition began with the Apostle John, or at a later time....is sort of a minor thing. The importance of the sense of continuity (whenever it began, it's certainly an ancient practice) and "togetherness" - is that the word I'm looking for? That's really what makes the Malka "holy" for us.
Just as a background, this is a bit of tradition hearkening back to our Jewish roots. A portion of the ashes of the Red Heifer were saved and mixed in with the ashes of a new Red Heifer, and provided this sort of "continuity." Jews to this day save a portion of the "challah" bread to mix in with future mixes, and so forth. It probably comes from that.
In any case, 1st Corinthians 10:17 is applicable in the hearts of the adherents...
+Shamasha