The Liturgy of the Eucharist
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
|