consecrated Wine and the practice of wiping the Cup after each communicant
receives prevented the spread of germs.
We in the Church tend to think of this
phenomenon in other terms, however. We would say that it is the result of the
grace of God in the Sacrament. The Body and the Blood of Jesus Christ conveys
grace (God's unmerited favor to us) not germs.
Whichever explanation you prefer, you need have
no concern. Episcopal priests consume what is left in the Cup after everyone
else drinks and they are the second longest-lived profession in the USA (after
Post Office letter-carriers)!
Why isn't the service in modern English?
The Episcopal Church does provide services in
modern English, however at St. Andrew's we prefer to use what is known as
traditional language (sometimes called "Old English").
We use the traditional language at St. Andrew's
for several reasons.
First, because it is able to convey a sense of
the special quality of our time spent with God in worship. For the very reason
that we don't normally use "thee" and "thou" in conversation, speaking them
reminds us that we are about something extraordinary. In this case,
extraordinarily important, meaningful and wonderful.
Second, because it conveys a sense of the
awesomeness of God. There is a certain majesty, beauty, and poetry to the
traditional translation which many of us find inspiring.
Third, because it is the language of love.
"Thee" and "thou" is a more intimate way of addressing God. These are terms
which those family members and close friends once used for one another. For
example, the French language still retains this distinction, "tu" is for
intimates, "vous" is for most people. Through our baptism into Jesus Christ we
have become members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19) and have
received the privilege to address the Lord with such words.
