CHAPTER FIVEThe Eucharist

Glimpses of the Mystery• Eucharist--”The source and summit of

the Christian life”

• Wonder of Eucharist is beyond description

• God enters our lives in profound way

The Eucharist is a Blessing

– We experience God’s transcendence

– Church praises and thanks God for wonders of creation

– Eucharist means “thanksgiving”

• We praise and thank God

What is the Eucharist?

- We offer blessing like Christ did through his life, death, and resurrection

What is the Eucharist?

The Eucharist is a Blessing cont.

- Church blesses God for great events of salvation

- God redeems us from sin and leads us to freedom

- Time of liberation, redemption, and creation are now

The Eucharist is a Memorial

• “Do this in memory of me”

• When we remember God’s works of salvation we experience God’s blessing and respond by doing God’s will

• Events of salvation are imprinted upon our memories through the Eucharist

What is the Eucharist?

The Eucharist is the Presence of God Within and Among Us

• Jesus present in many ways in celebration of the Eucharist

• “Real presence”• Consecration: bread and wine become Christ’s

body and blood

What is the Eucharist?

In communityScripture Person of the priest Bread and wine

What is the Eucharist?The Eucharist is the Presence of God Within and

Among Us cont.

• Transubstantiation--change from bread and wine to the body and blood of Christ

• Nourishment of Eucharist is nourishment of Christ himself

• Tabernacle--where consecrated hosts are kept

• Sacrifice: “to make holy”- Sharing in God’s life and love

– Eucharist is sacrifice instituted by Jesus at last Supper

– Eucharist memorializes Christ’s sacrifice on the cross

– Eucharist is the sacrifice of the entire Church

The Eucharist is the Perfect Sacrifice

• Eucharistic prayer contains intercessions for the Pope, bishop, priests and deacons, and the faithful

• Spiritual sacrifice of Church united with sacrifice of Christ

The Eucharist is the Perfect Sacrifice

• Sacred banquet of communion with the Lord’s body and blood”

• Significance of altar– Eucharist instituted by Christ in context of a

Jewish ritual meal– Eucharist sacrament of self-giving love and

sacrifice

The Eucharist is a Sacred Family Meal

• Jesus’ time

– Meals involve rituals with bread and wine

– Food is reminder of dependence on God

• In early Church Eucharist was accompanied by larger shared meal

• Eucharist is sign and source of our unity

– We are also united with those already in heaven

The Eucharist is a Sacred Family Meal

The Eucharist is a Sacred Family Meal

• Eucharist a “foretaste of the heavenly banquet”

• Jesus used images of feasts when speaking of Kingdom of God

• Future and present are the same in the Eucharist--God’s great feast has begun

• Basic format of Jewish meal which Jesus followed:

Historical Development of the Liturgy of the Eucharist

Taking the bread

Breaking and distributing bread

Taking the cup

Offering prayer of blessing

Sharing cup with those present

Speaking prayer of blessing

Celebration of the Eucharist today

- Two great parts are Liturgy of Word and Liturgy of Eucharist

– Gathering Rites• Preparation to encounter the Lord

– Liturgy of the Word• Readings of Old and New Testament, prayers of the

faithful, homily

Historical Development of the Liturgy of the Eucharist

Celebration of Eucharist today cont.- Presentation of the Offerings

· Bread and wine offered as sign of gratitude and offering of ourselves

Historical Development of the Liturgy of the Eucharist

- Eucharistic Prayer · Heart and summit of Mass, prayer of

thanksgiving and consecration, offering, intercessions, communion rite

Aim of Eucharist is to dismiss us out in the world to be like Christ

• Eucharist:– Unites us with Jesus, separates us from sin– Draws us back to God– Sends us out in world ready to love more completely--

to care for those most in need

Eucharist Sends us into the World

• We must be prepared to receive Eucharist– Reflect on our relationship with God

– Reconciliation for mortal sin

– Period of fast

Eucharist Sends us into the World

• We celebrate Eucharist while waiting for Jesus’ coming

• Foretaste of heaven and long for eternal life

Eucharist is Pledge of Our Future Glory