The Eucharist – Part 1

Of the differences that distinguish the Catholic Church from other Christian denominations, our understanding of Eucharist, celebrated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, is the most significant. We believe that Eucharist has its roots in the Old Testament and that it causes us to remember what God has done for us through Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament. Eucharist singularly signifies the faith we profess through what Jesus revealed in his life (of service), his death (of sacrifice), and resurrection (of conquering sin and death) - a love so profound, infinite and mysterious that it could only have come from the Divine.

Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper when Christ joined his apostles, family and friends at the table to celebrate the Jewish Passover meal. Using the ritual Passover elements of unleavened bread and wine, Jesus pronounced the familiar words we now refer to in the consecration. He told his apostles, “Do this in memory of me.”

The English words, “remembrance” and “memory,” hardly do justice to the original Hebrew language that Jesus spoke. The Hebrew words for, “Do this in remembrance of me,” which Luke records in his Gospel, are “Zot asoo lezikhri.” The root zkhr translates as “remember.” However, in the Hebrew mind “remember” does not bring us back to a time but rather brings that time forward to the present. It is not recalled as though it has been lost, forgotten or even absent. Therefore, in our celebration of the Eucharist, we are present before Christ at the Last Supper, Christ on the Cross, Christ upon his Resurrection. The celebration of the new Passover was meant for all people at all times. Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

As Catholics we believe that we encounter the living Christ in the sacraments and especially and uniquely so in Eucharist. We believe in the real presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine. The three synoptic Gospels are absolutely consistent: “This IS my body” (Mt. 26:26; Mk. 14:22; Lk. 22:19). This IS my blood (Mt. 26:27; Mk. 14:24; Lk. 22:20). Always THIS IS. There is no language (this is like my body, this represents my body, this symbolizes my body) used to suggest symbolism or any other possibility.

Eucharist comes from the Greek word, eucharista, which means thanksgiving. It is also related to the Greek word, chairein, which indicates a yearning or a hunger. The hunger expressed here is nourished in the two main parts of the Mass: Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Articles 1102 and 1103 from the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

“By the saving word of God, Faith is nourished in the hearts of believers. By this faith then, the congregation of the faithful begins and grows. In the Liturgy of the Word the Holy Spirit “recalls” to the assembly all that Christ has done for us.”

Scott Hahn, Biblical scholar and author, writes that Eucharist is the primary sacrament of nourishment. The gathering of God’s family for Eucharist around the table of the altar is much like the gathering of our own families around our tables at home where we receive nourishment for our minds and souls along with nourishment for our bodies. We tell stories and disclose our histories. We impart our hopes and our dreams. We receive advice and encouragement. We work out our differences and offer or receive mercy.

Some of our stories, histories, hopes, dreams, advice, encouragement, and acts of mercy demonstrate our understanding of sacrifice. In the Old Testament sacrifice meant one of four things to the ancient Israelites:

• Recognition of God’s sovereignty over creation
• An act of thanks
• Solemn sealing of an oath
• Renunciation and sorrow for sin

Our celebration of Eucharist is intended to include all of these. We offer thanks, we offer ourselves and everything precious to us (time, ambitions, desires, relationships, accomplishments, family matters, trials, and temptations). Catholic theologian Marcellina D’Ambrosio says that “anything that is of merit or value in our lives is really Christ working through us.” That is precisely what we acknowledge and offer. We recall and reseal the solemn oath where we exchange what we offer for the Lord’s own life, which is full of the power to heal and transform us. During the Eucharistic celebration we have opportunities to express our sorrow and to renounce our sins. To all of this we respond, “Amen.”

Bill Huebsch, a Catholic author and lecturer, states that, “The key to the Eucharist is this: We become what we receive. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we Christians join more closely to Christ and to one another. Indeed, we become the Body of Christ!” As the Body of Christ we are to go into the world and live sacramental lives; we are to be efficacious signs, willing to wash feet, be Good Samaritans to our neighbors, and to love one another.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does understanding the Hebrew word for “remember” influence your understanding of “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day?

2. Does the way in which I approach the celebration of Eucharist – my preparation, conduct and participation, and my follow-up – reflect true belief that I encounter the Living Christ?