In frequent communion services the orthodox Christian world commemorates the last supper which Christ Jesus ate with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. Taking literally his command (Luke 22: 19), "This do in remembrance of me," they perpetuate this sacrament with the material symbols of bread and wine.
Mary Baker Eddy in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," devotes a chapter to "Atonement and Eucharist," and in this concise, beautifully written chapter she shows that the observance of sacrament is for Christian Scientists not an occasional rite, for atonement is a daily and constant communion and demonstration of truth. In this chapter (pp. 18-55) are found a reverent review of the trial and triumph of Jesus and his instructions regarding the sacrament, a stern rebuke of mere doctrine and ceremony and a loving admonition to students to follow in the footsteps of the Way-shower in demonstrating, each for himself, the victory of divine goodness over persecution and cross-bearing.
In wonderful contrast to the somber tones of the last supper Mrs. Eddy gives, in words that glow with joy and light, an account of another meal, which Christ Jesus later shared with his disciples. Under the marginal heading "The last breakfast" (ibid., p. 34) she tells of the meeting of his disciples with their newly risen Master by the Sea of Galilee and describes the transformation of the disciples as they discerned and received into their consciousness something of the Christ, Truth, and the holy meaning of their Master's example. Jesus, having vanquished every attack of the carnal mind and freed himself from the final restriction of the tomb, came with unutterable forgiveness and love to seek out his students, who in hopelessness and self-condemnation had returned to their material ways and means and were exhausted by futile striving. Once more he fed them with the bread of Truth. Our Leader tells of their repentance and chastened hearts when they again perceived the presence of the Christ. "Convinced of the fruitlessness of their toil in the dark and wakened by their Master's voice," she writes, "they changed their methods, turned away from material things, and cast their net on the right side" (ibid., p. 35). These decisive mental steps brought about their genuine reformation, ending forever their human career as fishermen and leaving them free to do their rightful spiritual work in obedience to the Master's call to become fishers of men.
