“I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.”
Psalm 116:11
By now you’re probably realizing that I’m always good for a bit of etymological trivia or a new Scrabble word, so this week, here’s a twenty-point doozy: “Utraquism.” (Unfortunately, the Official Scrabble Dictionary tells me it’s not a playable word.) It comes from the Latin word utraque in the medieval phrase sub utraque specie, meaning roughly “in both kinds.” Utraquism was the simple, radical claim by early 15th c. reformers that communion should be distributed to laypeople not as bread only, with the wine reserved for the priest (as was the Catholic practice) but in both kinds, as both bread and wine, with laypeople and priests equal participants in the sacramental meal.
While the Catholic hierarchy was not convinced until the 20th c., communion in both kinds became not only the practical norm but a theological cornerstone of every Protestant tradition, as it has always been in the Orthodox churches. Our Book of Common Prayer reiterates at least three times that the bread and wine are both to be offered to all those receiving communion. (If you’re ever bored during one of my sermons, flip through and see if you can find all three!)
Utraquism’s taken a blow this year. For obvious reasons, sharing wine from a common cup has been inadvisable. Like many Episcopalians, I’ve found myself leaning on the ancient Catholic argument that communion in one kind or even the simple desire to receive communion when one is unable is just as much a conduit of God’s grace. But I have to admit it’s continued to feel strange to drink the wine alone. The Eucharist isn’t a special ritual conducted by the priest on behalf of the congregation; it’s our shared and joyful feast of thanksgiving, however symbolic the “feasting” may be.
Well, things will continue to be strange for a little while longer. We’ve received permission from our bishops to share communion in both kinds again, but only if the wine is in individually pre-packaged containers. This has caused some confusion in church the last few weeks, so I thought I’d make a short video walking through what we’re doing and how to receive the wine if you’d like to, to make it easier for you to pray on Sunday morning rather than wondering what you’re supposed to do with that little plastic cup!