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SUMMARY
Eucharist
History -reenacts the closing events of jesus' life -links past-present-
future one ceremony -powerful, meaningful ritual -last of the 3 sacraments
of initiation -prescribed by christ -have to see the eucharist as body, not
bread
Eucharist celebrates -"a way of remembering" -daily reminder of Gods love -
jesus shared bread at last supper/do this in memory of me -a thanksgiving
feast -"eucharist" means giving thanx
Ritual Meal -earliest form of rituals are eating and gathering -sacrifice
meal -ritual not a routine -builds on the symbolism of a ritual mean
Sign and Symbols -symbol of gods love for us -jesus' body -last
supper/banquet -welcome others to participate in the eucharist -unfilled
celebration -if we went to mass on sunday, it would make the rest of the
week more meaningful -unified body -it is the most commonly received
sacrament, most pivotal of 7 -as a community, we celebrate the presence of
christ in the eucharist -bread: basic food for most people/closely assoc
with nature
human work
Vestements -white/purple/black robe
Words -"Do this in Memory of Me." -"This is my body, which has been given
up for you."
The Eucharist
Thesis: The Eucharist is a sign of Jesus' death, and how He gave himself up
for us, and how we experience Him through His body.
History of the Eucharist
The Eucharist is a Jewish Ritual of worship. It dates back to the
Last Supper, where Jesus celebrated a typical Jewish community meal with
His friends. Sharing a meal with family, (very important to the Jews) also
dates back to the Passover Meal. This is called the Liturgy of the
Eucharist, and the early Christians added Jewish synagogue service and then
became the Liturgy of the Word. 1
The Eucharist is a sacrament, and is also a ritual. It is a repeated
sacrament, and is the most frequently used among all sacraments. It is "a
way of remembering" and a daily reminder if God's love. 2 Jesus at the
Last Supper shared bread with us, and said "Do this in Memory of Me." This
is why we have bread, because it represents Jesus' body, and how He gave
Himself up for us. The first little while of the Church, the "Mass was
celebrated as a friendship meal called agape." 3 Christians shared brought
food to the house where they were assembled, but as the numbers increased,
the meal was cut down to bread and wine. Today, the offertory collection
echoes the early years of the spirit giving at the Eucharist. 4 It is
living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever believes has eternal life.
5
Rituals of the Eucharist
The Eucharist, breaking of the bread, sharing the wine, eating and
gathering are the earliest form of rituals. These rituals are a sacrifice
meal. They are sacrifice meals because they take time, and are enjoyed, so
therefore it is a meal, not a routine. The sharing of the meal is
important, and it is a time of experiencing each other. 6 The word
Eucharist means giving thanks, and the ritual of the Eucharist is like a
"Thanksgiving every day of the year". 7
Symbols of the Eucharist
The Eucharist is a symbol of God's love for us. It illustrates
Jesus's body, and welcomes others to participate in the Eucharist. The
Eucharist is an unfilled Celebration and receiving the Eucharist on Sunday,
makes the rest of the week more meaningful. It symbolizes the unified body
of Christ, and the church symbolizes a community as we celebrate the
presence in Christ in the Eucharist. The bread symbolizes giving thanks,
and is the basic food for most people and is closely associated with nature
and work of human hands. Sharing the Cup represents that drink is
essential to life and both bread and wine are symbols of Christ. It also
symbolizes how we can go forty days without water as opposed to five days
without water. 8 Proclaiming the Word of God means that Jesus is present in
the Gospels and He comes alive for us in hearing the words and stories of
his life. We stand to welcome Christ into our living word of God.
Vestments
The garments worn during the Eucharist at Church are either Black,
White, or Purple. These are for different times of the year. Black
symbolizes death, purple illustrates Advent, and white portrays ordinary
time.
Words, Statements, Responses
There are many different expressions used in the Mass, all with
important meanings. First, the priest prepares the gifts, to make them
Holy. We respond "Blessed it be God forever." Another one is "Do this in
Memory of Me." This means that Jesus gave Himself up for us, and wants us
to remember what He did for us. It reenacts the closing events of Jesus'
life on earth. 9 This is followed by the Eucharist Prayer "Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord..." then ensued by "Lord, I am not worth to receive you, but only say
the word, and I shall be healed." This means to clean yourself of sins,
and get ready for the body of Christ. To ask God if He welcomes you to
receive the Eucharist.
Bibliography
COOKE, Bernard, THE EUCHARIST, "Mystery of Friendship"
Centre of Studies in Religious Education
Ohio, 1969.
GUZIE, Tad, W. JESUS AND THE EUCHARIST, Paulist Press
New York, 1974
RELIGION MANUAL p: 117-131
JOHN 6: 47-58, BIBLE
LUKE 22: 14-20 BIBLE
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, Handout
LITURGY OF THE WORD, Handout
WHAT IS THE SACRAMENT, Handout _____________________________
___
1 Religion Manual p: 127
2 Religion Manual p: 118
3 Religion Manual p: 127
4 Religion Manual p: 127
5 John 6: 47-58
6 Religion Manual p: 119
7 Religion Manual p: 119
8 "The Eucharist" p: 142
9 Religion Manual p: 129
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