vigil light in Lutheran churches

[Mimi]

I know why there is a candle always lit in Catholic sanctuaries by the tabernacle (to signify Jesus is truly present there).

But why do Lutheran churches have a light? There is no tabernacle. And anyway, they don’t believe Jesus is present in the hosts after communion (please correct me if that is incorrect).

I just think that is curious - I could ask the pastor of the church where I sometimes teach, but thought it’d be easier to ask here.

Happy Pasch,

Mimi

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Here is my understanding based on discussions with several Lutheran pastors ove the years. The light in a Lutheran church is to represent/signify the Holy Spirit being present in that church. They don’t ever put that light (which can be a candle but is usually an oil lamp) out because the Holy Spirit is always present to the church.

Christ is “with, under, and in” communion according to Luther, but apparently only during the service. Any bread/wine left after the service is usually put out in the ground or poured out. Not poured into a normal sink or throw away. I heard quite a bit of Jesus going into the earth or getting eaten by the birds as a sort of natural, earthy thing. A little new agey soundign to me. Not sure what Luther’s original thought was there.

 

[JonNC]

=Mimi;7793394]I know why there is a candle always lit in Catholic sanctuaries by the tabernacle (to signify Jesus is truly present there).

But why do Lutheran churches have a light? There is no tabernacle. And anyway, they don’t believe Jesus is present in the hosts after communion (please correct me if that is incorrect).

The issue of reserving the consecrated element sis more complicated than, “when is it the body and blood, and when is it not”. Lutherans believe what Christ said, “this is my body, this is my blood”, and it is so for the forgiveness of sins when we eat and drink of it. So, the purpose is eating and drinking, as Her said.
The question is, what of His real and substantial presence outside the sacramental act. Luther was very insistent that, for example, reliquae, should not be mixed with unconsecrated elements, and that one of two things ought to happen with the reliquae that is not reserved for the sick and shut-ins: 1) all elements be consumed, to prevent the issue in the first place, or 2) His blood which is not reserved for the sick and shut-ins, be properly cared disposed of, using a piscina.
What must be remembered in any case, is that what Christ said is true: it is His body and His blood, and full reverence and care must be observed.

Jon