– Of Latin origin, communio etymologically means mutual participation, association, relations, conformity, community.
– In the AT characterizes the relationship with God through sacrifices and cultic rites always based on the alliance between the Lord and his people:
Ex 18,22 : They will bring important causes to you, but they will resolve minor causes by themselves.
Ex 23,22 : But […] if you do everything I tell you, I will be the enemy of your enemies.
Deut 10:12-13 : And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you, except that you fear him, walking in his ways?
Ps 32:1-2 : Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, for praise is fitting for the upright.
Ps 118 : Happy are those whose life is pure, and follow the Law of the Lord.
– In the NT our communion with the Father is realized through Jesus Christ, Savior and Messiah who associates the disciples with his mission:
Jn 1:14 : And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that the only Son receives from his Father.
1Cor 10,14-22 : And the bread which we break, is it not a communion in the body of Christ?
Heb 2:11 : So that the sanctifier and the sanctified may form one whole.
Mt 20:22 : Jesus said: “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I must drink?”
Mt 28,19-20 : Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world.
Mk 3:14 : He appointed twelve of them to stay with him.
Mk 6,7-8 : So he called the Twelve and began to send them out, two by two.
Mc 8,34-35 : If anyone wants to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.
Jo 12,24-25 : If the grain of wheat, falling into the earth, does not die, it remains alone; if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Jo 15,18 : If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you.
– The supreme communion is participation in the Lord’s Supper:
Mt 26,26-27 : During the meal, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to the disciples.
Jo 6,51-58 : I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
1Cor 1,9 : God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Phil 3:10 : I long for the knowledge of Christ and the power of his Resurrection, for sharing in his sufferings.
1Cor 11,23-24 : This is my body, which is given for you; do this in memory of me.
– This union with Christ in the holy sacrifice of the Mass requires communion with the brothers to be effective:
Acts 2:44 : All the faithful lived together and had everything in common.
Acts 4:32 : No one claimed the things he had as his own, but everything was common to them.
Romans 15:26 : Macedonia and Achaia decided to make a collection for the brothers in Jerusalem who are in poverty.
1Cor 11,17-22 : By giving you these warnings, I cannot praise you concerning your assemblies.
1Cor 13,1-13 : Even if I speak the tongues of men and of angels, if I do not have charity.
Phl 2,1-2 : Make my joy complete by remaining united. Have the same love, one soul and the same thoughts.
– See COMMUNITY, EUCHARIST, SACRIFICE.
