Does taking communion break the fast? Is there a Scriptural or Traditional case to be made either way?
Upvote:-1
Fasting is definitely a "good enough" reason not to take the communion. The communion is to remember the last meal Jesus had with his Diciples, and fasting is to not have a meal. Although the communion is not just any meal, it is still a meal.
Upvote:1
For believers in constubstantiation, there is a biblical precedent for prioritizing the Eucharist over the fast. Since Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, Christ is in fact, present. And, if he is present, Mark 2:18-20 comes into play:
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?”
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.
The Eucharist often goes by the term feast for a reason - it is a joyous occasion that is properly celebrated in the presence of the Christ. During Lent, Sundays are specifically called out as feast days when the fast is supposed to be broken.
For this reason, there is good biblical sanction not to continue a fast when, in deed, the bride groom is here!
Upvote:4
The discipline of fasting is a time of introspection on God by forsaking some of the human need (here food) for a period. Communion is a time of fellowship with God in community. I believe we should follow the spirit of Bible, which is expressed in 2 Corinthians 3:6 last part (for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. quoted from NIV). Jesus always wanted His followers to uphold the this principle when He healed people on a sabbath day.
So I would this taking communion will not breach the fasting, since here fasting is taken from food to have closer fellowship with God during that time and communion encourages that fellowship.
Upvote:8
Per @awe and @Jamess, there are really two sides of this. It can go either way.
Are you breaking your fast? Yes. You truly are. But you have to question: Why am I fasting?
If you are fasting in order to grow closer to God and find reliance only on him, then taking communion would not necessarily be bad. Since communion is meant to draw us to God, then the two acts (fasting and communion) are moving towards the same purpose: moving us closer to God.
If you are fasting, however, in prayer over a specific thing (such as the salvation of a person or deliverance from a trial), then you should avoid the fast. The purposes of the two acts (fasting and communion) are at odds.
Having said all of this, I believe this verse is appropriate to the subject:
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
If you chose to break fast for communion, make sure you do it for God's glory. If you chose to skip communion for the fast, make sure it's for God's glory. If you follow that advice, you won't go wrong.
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