The Eucharist Source and Summit of the Christian

The Eucharist Source and Summit of the Christian Life

Scripture Readings • Hebrews 10: 1 -10 • 1 Corinthians 11: 23 -33

Baptism – emersion; joining with; adoption – Adoption into the Body of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit Confirmation – acceptance of the continuous presence of the Holy Spirit Eucharist – joining in the perfect sacrifice that can do what no other sacrifice can do.

Origin of the word Eucharist, from the Greek word eucharistein - thanksgiving

Origin of Communion from the Latin “Com”-with and “unio”union Union with Christ by sharing in his body and blood.

Other sacrifices offered for thanksgiving to God included sacrifice of a lamb from the new flock.

Ancient rituals were united into the Passover Meal to give historical meaning to the Exodus, the delivery of God's people from the slavery in Egypt.

Bread and Wine Become the Perfect Sacrifice • • Genesis 13: 1 -4 Genesis 14: 17 -20 Hebrews 7: 14 -17 Hebrews 7: 26 -28

Institution of the Eucharist gave a new and final meaning to the blessing of bread and the sacrifice of the lamb

Some of Jesus' miracles, recorded in the Gospels, are precursors and hints leading to the institution of the Eucharist.

Multiplication of loaves and fishesabundance of the Eucharist Wedding Feast at Cana. Divine glory of Jesus and divine feast that is shared when we receive the Eucharist

Jewish Passover feast chosen by Jesus to institute the Eucharist, a new covenant, a new relationship between the Creator and his creatures.

In the celebration of the Last Supper, we find the origins of the Eucharist Shared the celebration with his Apostles Left them with a pledge of his love

Made them sharers in his Passover the Paschal Mystery The Eucharist is a memorial and reenactment of his death and resurrection Commanded the Apostles to celebrate this memorial until his return

Constituted the priesthood of the New Testament The Holy Eucharist refers to Christ's body and blood present in the consecrated host Present on the altar and in the tabernacle

Most central and important of the Sacraments to Catholicism All four Gospels make reference to this New Covenant

When does the bread and wine become Christ's Body and Blood? At Mass, during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, - Epiclesis (Invocation) with hands over the bread and wine, the priest implores the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood

Consecration the priest lifts first the bread and then the wine and proclaims Jesus' words at the Last Supper at this time the Holy Spirit makes sacramentally present the Body and Blood of Christ under the species of bread and wine

This change is substance is called “transubstantiation” where the bread and wine are transformed into Christ himself, living and glorious. He is present in a true, real and substantial manner; His Body and Blood with his soul and divinity

Effects of Holy Communion increases our union with the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forgiveness of venial sins helps the recipient avoid the temptation to commit a grave sin reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ