VirtueOnline: Table Fellowship & Communion

I'm sure you all have been paying keen attention to the Anglican Communion theatrics of the last week. The Primates of the Communion met last week and have given The Episcopal Church in the US an ultimatum: agree to not ordain any further homosexual bishops and to not authorize rites for homosexual relationships or else face consequences. They must embrace this by September. What I found particularly interesting was that several orthodox bishops refused to take communion with the others at this meeting because of their broken relationship. Below I have cut and pasted from VOL quoting the Nigerian Church's web site. Have you ever done that -- refused to take communion with others who you had a broken relationship with? I never have, but can think of instances where maybe I should have. I'm not sure I've put the Scriptures into action in quite the same way these African brothers have. What would it take for you to take a stand as they have? The African Primates refer to two passages of Scripture. I challenge you to mediate on these passages and consider how you take Holy Communion: Matthew 5:23-26 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. From VirtueOnline - News - Columnists - Table Fellowship & Communion - by Peter Toon: In their own words from the website of the Nigerian Church: "We each take the celebration of the Holy Eucharist very seriously. This deliberate action is a poignant reminder of the brokenness of the Anglican Communion. It makes clear that the torn fabric of the Church has been torn further. It is a consequence of the decision taken by our provinces to declare that our relationship with The Episcopal Church is either broken or severely impaired. Scripture teaches that before coming to sit with one another at the Lord's Table we must be reconciled. (Matthew 5:23-26 and 1 Corinthians 11:27-29) We have made repeated calls for repentance by The Episcopal Church and its leadership with no success. We continue to pray for a change of heart. We are unable to come to the Holy Table with the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church because to do so would be a violation of Scriptural teaching and the traditional Anglican understanding, " Ye that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith" (Book of Common Prayer, 1662) This is a painful decision for us and also for our host and brother, the Most Rev¹d Donald Mtetemela. He understands our painful dilemma and accepts our decision. Pray for the Church."