The Eucharist: A Sacrament of Worship and Pledge of Future Glory
The Eucharist is one of the two sacraments (baptism is the other) in which Christians receive the Holy Spirit. It is an act of worship and a pledge of future glory.
The Origins of the Eucharist
The word "eucharist" is a transliteration of the Greek word eukharistesas, which means "to give thanks." It is also a translation of the Hebrew words berekah and tehinoth, meaning "to break and to give," and has its roots in the Hebrew practice of a communal meal. In early Christianity, the word was interpreted to refer to the entire sacrament.
The Fellowship Meal and the Sacrifice of Christ
Originally, it was a fellowship meal in which the members of the community gathered to eat bread and drink wine. In the earliest records, this meal was accompanied by prayer and readings. The rite was a means of remembering the sacrifice that Christ made for us and to reaffirm our communion with him in the Holy Eucharist.It was also a time of reflection on what the body and blood of Jesus had been used for during his ministry. This was especially true in the Passover meal and during the Last Supper, when Jesus ate with his disciples.
The Eucharist in the Catholic Church
Today, the Eucharist is a central sacrament of the Catholic Church. It is an expression of our unity with all other Christians and with the Holy Trinity. It is a sign of Christ's real presence in the world and in our own hearts.The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the preparation of the elements. During this time, representatives of the people bring forth the bread and wine that will be used during the Mass. These gifts are then blessed by the priest and placed on the altar.After the gifts have been blessed, they are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. This process is called "consecration." At the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, the Catholic Church formally defined this concept as a theological dogma.As a sacrament, the Eucharist is an act of grace in which God enacts his acts of love and mercy. The Eucharist celebrates the sacrificial death of Jesus, his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension to the right hand of the Father. It is the source and summit of the Christian life.It is also the source of our spiritual renewal and the bond between God and the Church. It is the focal point of all sacramental and apostolic ministry and work.
Diverse Interpretations of the Eucharist
Some denominations differ in their understanding of the Eucharist. Some, like the Anglican and Lutheran churches, consider it an ordinance and a channel of grace. Others, such as some Baptists, consider it an act of faith and an expression of the community's belief in the divinity of Christ.The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that "The Eucharist is a sacred banquet which, in a special way, consecrates the whole of the Christian life. It is the source and summit of the whole Church's activity, and it is the centre of the Christian's relationship with God" (CCC 1424).
Biblical References to the Real Presence
There are several Scriptural references that speak of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. These include a number of letters and homilies of the apostles and saints, such as St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107) and St. Justin Martyr (c. 100-165).
