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Sacraments of Initiation. Eucharist. The Eucharist. The Culmination of Christian Initiation. Vocabulary. Eucharist The Mass or the Lord’s Supper, based on the Greek word for thanksgiving . It is the central liturgical celebration and was established by Jesus at the Last Supper.
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Sacraments of Initiation Eucharist
The Eucharist The Culmination of Christian Initiation
Vocabulary • Eucharist • The Mass or the Lord’s Supper, based on the Greek word for thanksgiving. It is the central liturgical celebration and was established by Jesus at the Last Supper. • Specifically to the consecrated bread and wine that have become the Body and Blood of Jesus • Passover • The night the Lord passed over the houses of the Israelites marked with the blood of the lamb and spared the firstborn sons from death. A memorial remembrance of the deliverance of the chosen people from bondage in Egypt and their exodus to the promised land. • Prefigures the Eucharist • Anamnesis • A Greek word for memory that refers to the making present of the Paschal Mystery. • In the Eucharistic Prayer it refers to the words of remembrance of Christ’s saving actions. • Epiclesis • The invocation of the Holy Spirit unto the bread and wine to effect transubstantiation. It is part of the Eucharistic Prayer. • Transubstantiation • The action of changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus
What is the Eucharist? • The Sacrament that makes present the death and resurrection of Christ • A sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity • A Paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed • The “Word of God” dwelling among us. • Logos, the word, “the word became flesh and dwelt among us” • The Mass or the Lord’s Supper, based on the Greek word for thanksgiving. • It is the central liturgical celebration and was established by Jesus at the Last Supper. • Specifically to the consecrated bread and wine that have become the Body and Blood of Jesus
Theology of the Eucharist • Signs of bread and wine • Symbolic of the gifts God has given us • Prefigured by the priest Melchizedek in OT • Tangible signs of God’s faithfulness and love • Manna • Miracle of the loaves • Drinking of wine in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah • Changing of water into wine shows the presence of the Messiah • Institution of the Eucharist • A sign of Jesus’ love • Prefigured in the Passover, Jesus becomes the lamb of sacrifice • The lamb suffers, dies but is resurrected. Jesus passes over death into life • A fulfillment of the hopes of the Passover • Appropriately instituted at the Last Supper, a celebration of the Passover
“Do this in memory of Me” • Memory as in “memorial” • Church not only remembers but makes what Jesus did present to us today • Thanksgiving • The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word meaning thanksgiving • Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the • Saving work of Jesus on the Cross • The entire work of Creation • Thank God for all that is good, holy, beautiful and just in the world • Sending the gift of His Son • Redeemed, sanctified and made us worthy to call Him Father • Jesus unites Himself to us and leads us to the Father
Christ’s sacrificial memorial • Anamnesis • Proclamation of the mighty works of God that are made present in our midst • Sacrifice remains ever present in the Eucharist • Christ’s body and blood is given to us. • As members of the Body of Christ we participate in Christ’s sacrifice • Our prayers, praise, sufferings and our work are united with Him • The Church’s sacrificial memorial • The whole Church is united in the Eucharist • Pope in his ministry as Peter • Bishop in his shepherding of the diocese • Unites us with the Church Triumphant and the Church Suffering • We offer our selves to God, in Christ, with Christ and through Christ
The Eucharist in the Scriptures • Old Testament • Manna/ The Bread of Life • Eat and won’t die • Unleavened bread/ used at the Passover • Prefigures Jesus’ passing from death to life • Melchizedek/ offering the gifts of creation • Made perfect by Christ • New Testament • Feeding of the multitude • Sharing bread with the people • The Last Supper • Institution of the Eucharist • St. Paul and the Eucharist • Not an eyewitness, Jesus told him
The Eucharist, Then & Now • In every age • The Eucharist has been the source and summit of the Christian life • The life giving source of all other sacraments and ministries • God acts to make us holy. We praise and worship God through Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit • We are united in praise with the heavenly Church • Sign of the “new and everlasting covenant”
Names of the Eucharist • Eucharist • The Lord’s Supper • The Breaking of the Bread • The Eucharistic Assembly • The Holy Sacrifice • The Holy and Divine Liturgy • Holy Communion and Holy Mass