HOLY COMMUNION
Luther's
Little Instruction Book (The Small Catechism of Martin Luther)
Part Six: The Sacrament of the Altar
Translated by Robert E. Smith
June 10, 1994
The Sacrament
of the Altar:The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to his
Household
- Q. What
is the Sacrament of the Altar?
A.
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under
bread and wine for us Christians to eat and to drink, established
by Christ Himself.
- Q. Where
is that written?
A.
The holy apostles Matthew, Mark and Luke and St. Paul write
this:
“Our
Lord Jesus Christ, in the night on which He was betrayed, took
bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to His disciples and said:
“Take! Eat! This is My body, which is given for you. Do
this to remember Me!” In the same way He also took the
cup after supper, gave thanks, gave it to them, and said: “Take
and drink from it, all of you! This cup is the New Testament
in my blood, which is shed for you to forgive sins. This do,
as often as you drink it, to remember Me!”
- Q. What
good does this eating and drinking do?
A.
These words tell us: “Given for you” and “Shed
for you to forgive sins.” Namely, that the forgiveness
of sins, life and salvation are given to us through these words
in the sacrament. Because, where sins are forgiven, there is
life and salvation as well.
- Q. How
can physical eating and drinking do such great things?
A.
Of course, eating and drinking do not do these things. These
words, written here, do them: “given for you” and
“shed for you to forgive sins.” These words, along
with physical eating and drinking are the important part of
the sacrament. Anyone who believes these words has what they
say and what they record, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
- Q. Who,
then, receives such a sacrament in a worthy way?
A.
Of course, fasting and other physical preparations are excellent
disciplines for the body. But anyone who believes these words,
“Given for you,” and “Shed for you to forgive
sins,” is really worthy and well prepared. But whoever
doubts or does not believe these words is not worthy and is
unprepared, because the words, “for you” demand a
heart that fully believes.
_________________
This text
was translated in 1994 for Project Wittenberg by Robert E. Smith
and has been placed in the public domain by him. You may freely
distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments
or suggestions to Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library
at:
Concordia
Theological Seminary.
E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU
Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
Phone: (219) 481-2123
Fax: (219) 481-2126
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