This book is part of the eight book Ancient Practices series under the general editorship of Phyllis Tickle.

The sacred meal in question here has been described in many different ways: communion, breaking of bread, mass, eucharist, Lord's meal, etc. Many doctrinal differences surround it: transubstantiation, who may partake, who may serve it; is it merely a memorial, the real; presence of Christ or something else?

Nora Gallagher writes from an Episcopal standpoint. It is this perspective that shapes her ideas and views about breaking of bread. This is very much a personal perspective. The only time she steps out of her seeming denominational bounds are when she asserts that there should be no rules as to who can take it and who cannot.

She writes very well and the book is full of literary allusions and epigraphs. The strength of the book is its narrative format, but that is also its weakness. There is little historical, cultural or theological reflection on the subject; the only exception is the brief chapter 9, 'A history in brief' - unfortunately the chapter is too brief. I would have liked to have seen this chapter developed more. The book is part of the Ancient Practices - but there is seemingly no link between the 'Sacred' meal that Gallagher describes and the ancient i.e. New Testament practice.
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My review of this book can be seen here: http://www.icewarmth.com/2011/04/book-review-sacred-meal-by-nora.html ( )

I can't believe it. I just finished reading an entire book on the Lord's Supper and heard virtually nothing about Jesus' death. Seriously, think about it:

"And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many" (Mark 14:22-24 ESV).

The entire point of the original supper was Jesus' impending death. How do you miss that?

Let me bring a little balance to this review. Nora Gallagher is a gifted writer. Her prose is tight and compelling. In addition, some of the themes she spoke about such as receiving the Eucharist as a gift and the connection between the Lord's Supper and his mission to the disenfranchised were important. Unfortunately there was too much sloppy theology mixed in. Here are a couple of examples:

1. "Jesus said, 'Do this to remember me' (Luke 22:19 NLT). Many of us think these words, . . . mean that we're remembering Jesus when we drink of this cup and eat of this bread. Well, of course, we're remembering Jesus, but that should not be all we're doing. I don't think Jesus was interested in everybody just remembering him. What's the point of that? . . . I think Jesus wanted his disciples and everyone who came after him to remember what they had together. What they made together. What it meant to be together. . . . Do this to remember me. Do this to remember who you were with me. Do this to remember who you are" (23-24). My thoughts: So remembering Jesus is pointless—he obviously wanted us to reinterpret his words to fit 21st century psychology.

2. "There is another way to think of dying and where we go. Instead, we die in, . . . that is, we reenter the earth, to be part of the earth that gave us our beginning, to become part of all that lives, and moves, and has its being (Acts 17:28). What if the risen Christ does not die out, as in being lifted into the heavens, but rather dies in, that is, dies into the whole of the world" (131)? My thoughts: Okay, at least we're thinking about Jesus' death now, but how on earth can you call Jesus' resurrection from the dead a "die out" as in "being lifted into the heavens"?

I could point to a number of other examples of obvious eisigesis, but I'm pretty sure you get the picture. Beautiful writing and interesting stories cannot redeem this book.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Booksneeze program. ( )

This is another book in the Ancient Practices Series that I have been reviewing for BookSneeze.

This series takes apart each of the different Christian practices in order to better understand what they are and why people perform them.

This book is on the Holy Communion. Throughout time, Christians have partaken in the Holy Communion. Most understand that it is representative of the blood of Christ and the body of Christ. However, many do not understand the whys or how’s of this. Nora Gallagher explains in very easy to understand language the history and beliefs behind this ancient practice.

Even though I am not a Christian, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It takes a look at the history of a people. And understanding a person’s belief system lends to understanding the person.

Plus I am able to see how many practices are very much like my own. And how many of the major religions are very much similar. Its just unfortunate that most people don’t want to see it.

So whether you are a Christian or just someone like me who loves to read about all different religions, this is a great read. You will definitely walk away with a new perspective.

I received this book free in exchange for my review. This did not influence my review in any way. ( )

I recently finished the reading of another one of the installments in The Ancient Practices Series by Thomas Nelson Publishers, titled The Sacred Meal. This delightful read by author Nora Gallagher within the pages of this book takes on many different understandings of the bread and wine, the body and blood, and provides a variety of ecumenical perspectives that some might learn from. It is not a theological primer on the Lord’s Supper but more of a telling of the author’s personal stories but they are sprinkled with historical researched facts which are engaging in the rediscovering of this particular ancient Christian practice.

This makes the book read more like a memoir than a commentary or discourse on the theology of the Communion’s history, purpose, practice and biblical implications on ecclesiology. This sacred meal has been one of the most problematic in the history of the church as it has brought much division on interpretation of the essence of the elements.

Even though not agreeing with every point she made, Nora does inspire a sense of wonder over the ancient practice of Communion which she speak on the practice by saying, “every time it is the same and ever time it is different.” The book is full of whimsical and proverbial sayings concerning the person’s heart when approaching the Lord’s Table. For instance how the Holy Communion is a way of saying thanks as Eucharist in Greek can be translated as “thanksgiving”. One of my favorite quotes from the book is when Nora explains, “Many people go to church on Sunday like going to a play or concert. Never acting on what we see & hear. Gradually what you learn simply fades”

In The Sacred Meal, Nora Gallagher attempts to make a case for Communion to be accessible to everyone. The table of the Lord is presented as a place where everyone is welcome to come and eat. The truths exclaimed in this book I found very subjective to the author. All in all it was enjoyable, but it lacked theological substance and I feel this was due to its being ecumenical in theme and tone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )