Sacrament of the Eucharist

Some Initial Thoughts What do you think are some things that set us apart as a Catholic school? The Eucharist is referred to as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” (Lumen Gentium) ◦All the other sacraments are oriented towards the Eucharist, because Christ Himself is contained in it. ◦Two meanings – the Mass; and the Body and Blood of Christ 2

Some Initial Thoughts con’t Other names: The Lord’s Supper, the Breaking of Bread, the Holy Sacrifice, the Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion, Blessed Sacrament, the Real Presence The “Mass” – means to be sent forth (“Ite missa est”) 3

Understanding the Sacrament of the Eucharist The Eucharist as pre-figured in the Old Testament. ◦Bread and wine were often offered as the first fruits of the earth. ◦Melchizedek offered bread and wine (Jesus is described as a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek”) ◦The manna given by God to the Israelites (Book of Exodus). ◦Jewish Passover – the bread and wine serves of God’s intervention for them. 4

The Multiplication of Loaves and Fish The Eucharist as pre-figured in the Old Testament. ◦Bread and wine were often offered as the first fruits of the earth. ◦Melchizedek offered bread and wine (Jesus is described as a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek”) ◦The manna given by God to the Israelites (Book of Exodus). ◦Jewish Passover – the bread and wine serves of God’s intervention for them. 5

The Miracle of Cana and the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish These stories convey that there is a new meaning given in the bread and wine. 6

John Chapter 6 Day 1 – Tiberias ◦Afternoon -- Jesus feeds a vast crowds by multiplying the loaves and fish. ◦Evening – Jesus walks on water ◦What could Jesus be “preparing” his disciples for? 7

John Chapter 6 con’t Day 2 – Caparnaum  Jesus alludes to the “manna” from heaven (from Exodus 16) that perished, He then claims to be the “true” bread that comes from heaven, and whoever eats this bread will live forever. 8

John Chapter 6 con’t John 6:53-56 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” 9

John Chapter 6 con’t Verse 54 – “eats” – literally means to crunch or to munch John 6: – Christ’s disciples deserted him “because it was a hard teaching to accept” The Church’s teaching on the Eucharist went virtually unchallenged for 1,500 years until the Protestant rebelled against the Catholic Church. 10

The Institution of the Eucharist The four kinds of sacrifice: 1.Gift offerings – acts of thanksgiving to God (i.e. crop, animal, fruit; Cain and Abel) 2.Shared peace offering – part of the offering given to God, the other are eaten by the people 3.Atonement offerings – sacrifices offered to God for forgiveness 4.Covenant offerings – burnt offerings or blood of animals to seal an agreement. Though pious and good, none were suitable to completely blot away sins. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the perfect sacrifice, because it is the sacrifice of God Himself. 11

The Eucharist Through the Ages ◦Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper on the night before he died (Holy Thursday) (Lk. 22:19-20).  Jesus gave his apostles power to change the bread and wine into His Body and Blood. ◦The early Christians originally gathered for prayer in the morning at the Temple (Scriptures), have a meal, then have the Eucharist. ◦After the Temple was destroyed, the Temple service ◦The number of people eventually became too large, that it was dropped by the 3 rd century. 12

The Eucharist Through the Ages con’t  Apostolic Tradition – explains how the early Christians celebrated the Eucharist. Common structure of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Presided by the bishop or priest. ◦ Liturgy of the Word – Readings, Homily, General Intercessions ◦ Liturgy of the Eucharist – Presentation of the Bread and Wine, Consecration, Thanksgiving, and Communion. 13

The Tridentine Mass to the Novus Ordo  The Council of Trent established a uniformed way of offering the Mass. For many centuries, the Tridentine Mass (Missal of Pope Pius V) was the form of liturgy used in the Latin-West.  Unlike the New Mass, the priest faces the tabernacle (God) or the “East” (symbolic of where Christ will return in glory)  General structure: ◦ Prayers at the Foot of the Altar ◦ Prayers at the Altar – Introit and Collect ◦ Scripture Readings ◦ Profession of Faith – Nicene Creed ◦ Offertory ◦ The Canon of the Mass ◦ Communion Rite ◦ Closing Rite 14

The Tridentine Mass to the Norvus Ordo con’t  The Second Vatican Council ( ) permitted the use of the vernacular, known as the Novus Ordo (New Mass; Missal of Paul VI), but retained the fundamental structure of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Together, they form one single act of worship.  In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued a motu propio – allowing the use of the Tridentine Mass and the Novus Ordo side by side. 15

The Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine Mass) 16

The Eucharist as a Sacrifice  The sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is the one eternal sacrifice re-presented – made present to us, on the here and now.  It is Christ Himself who offers Himself in an un-bloody and spiritual way.  It is the sacrifice of the Church because it offered for the sins of the living and dead.  Jesus is uniquely present in the Eucharist – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity (Real Presence).  Transubstantiation 17

Celebrating the Sacrament of the Eucharist  Liturgy – service done on behalf of the people  Two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  General structure: ◦ Introductory rites – Greeting, Penintential rite/Confiteor, Gloria ◦ Liturgy of the Word – Old Testament reading, Responsorial Psalm, Epistles, Gospel, Homily ◦ Liturgy of the Eucharist – Offertory, Eucharistic Prayer, Communion Rite, Dismissal Rite 18

Liturgy of the Eucharist  Offertory ◦ monetary offering for the parish and the poor (practice goes back to the time of the apostles). ◦ Bread and Wine – symbolizes creation and each person  Eucharistic Prayer ◦ Preface – prayer of thanksgiving to the Father ◦ Sanctus – Holy, Holy, Holy ◦ Epiclesis -- invocation of the Holy Spirit to sanctify the bread and wine ◦ The Words of Institution (Anamnesis) – “This is my Body; This is my Blood” ◦ Prayer for the living and the dead, the pope, bishop, and clergy ◦ Doxology and the Great Amen 19

Liturgy of the Eucharist con’t  The Communion Rite ◦ The Lord’s Prayer ◦ Rite of Peace ◦ Fraction Rite ◦ Agnus Dei ◦ Reception of Holy Communion  Communion under both species?  Proper reception of Holy Communion? ◦ Prayer After Communion  Rite of Dismissal 20

The Graces of Holy Communion  The Eucharist: ◦ Strengthens and deepens our relationship with Christ ◦ Cleanses us from venial sins, and strengthens us from future mortal sin. ◦ Strengthens and enables us to love and serve others -- through our participation in our parish, school, and community. This is the work of evangelization. ◦ Helps us to reveal Christ to others through our corporal and spiritual works of mercy. 21

Preparing for Holy Communion  St. Paul tells us that we should not receive the Eucharist “unworthily” (1 Cor. 11:27-29)  We must be “spiritually disposed” to receive Holy Communion. ◦ Our soul must be “alive” – not in the state of mortal sin ◦ We must have fasted from food and drink (except water; illness), one hour before Holy Communion ◦ We must desire to be one in Jesus and His Church. 22