Posted on 02/16/2011 1:23:06 AM PST by Cronos
1322 The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.
1323 "At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'"
1324 The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life.""The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch."
1325 "The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit."
1326 Finally, by the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all
1 Cor 15:28.
| 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. |
1327 In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: "Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking."
1328 The inexhaustible richness of this sacrament is expressed in the different names we give it. Each name evokes certain aspects of it. It is called:
Eucharist, because it is an action of thanksgiving to God. The Greek words eucharistein
Lk 22:19
| 19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. |
| 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. |
| 26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. |
| 22And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. |
1329 The Lord's Supper, because of its connection with the supper which the Lord took with his disciples on the eve of his Passion and because it anticipates the wedding feast of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem
1 Cor 11:20
| 20When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. |
| 9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. |
| 19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. |
| 36And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. |
| 6And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. |
| 19When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 20And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. 21And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand? |
| 26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. |
| 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. |
| 13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. |
| 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers |
| 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, |
| 7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. |
| 11When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed |
| 15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. |
| 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. |
| 13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. |
| 17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. |
| 11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. |
The Eucharistic assembly (synaxis), because the Eucharist is celebrated amid the assembly of the faithful, the visible expression of the Church.
1330 The memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection.
The Holy Sacrifice because the Church's whole liturgy finds its center and most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament; in the same sense we also call its celebration the Sacred Mysteries We speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the Sacrament of sacraments. The Eucharistic species reserved in the tabernacle are designated by this same name.
1331 Holy Communion because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body.
1 Cor 10:16-17
| 16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. |
1332 Holy Mass (Missa), because the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God's will in their daily lives.
At first glance it would seem to be impossible to take an ecumenical view of the various historical Christian views on this ordinance. If the pastoral blessing turns the bread and wine into pieces of Jesus’ literal body and blood, having demonstrable and startling supernatural properties, that’s a lot different from it serving as a pure memento in the manner that a Jewish Passover dinner service uses its symbolic foods.
However, as a fundie of the latter persuasion about the communion ordinance, I can definitely tell that something special has happened when in good conscience I eat and drink what I regard, and what the pastor regards, as the symbolic bread and wine. It brings to a subjective focus how Christ, though literally sacrificed once way back at Calvary, has somehow managed to penetrate me. My life is now hidden with Christ in God. It is an ineffable experience (i.e. goes beyond mortal words). It didn’t absolutely need the communion elements to bring it about, but they are quite helpful to the purpose and the Lord tells Christians to do it.
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Mal 1:11 "11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts."
The original sacrifice was at one place only in the old testament. Here The Lord is showing a future in the world when this was written. That there are many places for this to be offered in the future. It can only make sense in the context of the Mass.Which is today.
11"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles;"
All over the world there are churches saying this offering.
"In EVERY place incense shall be offered unto my NAME"
Now the emphasis is every Place. When I see the priest with the Incense holder with that beautiful aroma going around the the altar. This is part of the prophecy even when it is not every day the emphasis is on every place not every day done with incense. Which use to puzzle me but not now after prayer and thought. The Re-presention of the eternal offering which is Jesus who is eternal because of his divinity. It just is amazing how many levels of thinking is going on here. God is outside of his creation( The universe) which is how time and space exists. It just is amazing!
Praise Jesus!
It is interesting that you would post this now.
I had a conversation this weekend with a fellow Catholic woman regarding the Eucharist. We are both members of Catholic Daughters of the Americas and we were having a bake sale so we spent the whole day Sunday at church. Lots of time for conversation!
Allow me to offer a little background. I am a revert and when I returned to the Church I went to confession, received Communion and volunteered as a lector and EM. When filling out a form to also teach CCD, one of the questions was, “Are you married in the Church?” I wasn’t even sure what it meant and asked my priest. To my utter dismay, I learned that having been married by a Protestant minister, I was not to receive any Sacraments until my marriage was blessed by the Church.
Long story short, it was nearly 8 years before that happened and for 8 years I attended Mass without receiving.
Happily on Nov. 24th of last year, my husband and I, with our two children stood before my priest and were married.
I have resumed acting as a lector, EM and CCD teacher.
Back to the conversation....
I was saying what a joy it was to be the one who brought Communion to the handicapped and elderly in the church who could not get to the altar.
My friend said that she could never do that. I asked her why and she told me that she had never touched a consecrated Host. Though it is common practice now, she had never received the Eucharist in the hand and could never imagine helping to distribute Jesus at Mass. She felt herself to be unworthy to do so.
I wonder how many others think the same way. I thought about it later and thought that it was kind of sad that she thought that way.
Jesus was human. We know that people touched Him during his life and after His death. St. Thomas even placed his hands in the Holy Wounds of Jesus.
I had thought about starting a caucus thread about it, but now, God in His goodness has given me the opportunity to ask the question of my fellow Catholics here.
How many deny the Church their service in this way because of feeling they too are not worthy?
Great question.
Not being contentious, but this came to mind: “Lord I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the Word and I ahall be healed.”
When one truly believes, one can’t help but feel not worthy to hold in our hand Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.
But, then I think that God chose humanity for Himself and also chose to be present for us in the Eucharist.
How much more are we unworthy to receive Him in such a way than we are to touch Him with out hands?
This is huge.
It is awe inspiring to me to distribute Communion at Mass.
When I see the faces of those who are coming forward, I can’t help but smile at their joy and reverence for Jesus.
This last Sunday was the first time I have gone out to the handicapped and all I can say is WOW!!!
I can’t imagine being more blessed.
I am deeply touched by *your* love and reverence for Our Lord.
I am grateful that He has called me to His Church and if I can share His love, and be His light for others, then He has truly given me a gift.
I find many here, including yourself, who understand and share my joy and peace. Like the loaves and fish which Jesus blessed and shared, our love of Christ as fully practiced in His Church increases with the sharing of it.
Have to depart for the day and don’t know when I’ll be back because of work.
Have a blessed day and I will be praying for our brother in peril, Said.
Thank you, Jvette. God be with you.
Wonderful testimony! Thanks so much!
"It brings to a subjective focus how Christ, though literally sacrificed once way back at Calvary, has somehow managed to penetrate me."
I thought it was a surpassingly beautiful statement.
I am a part of the RCIA team in my parish (we teach adults preparing for Baptism, as well fallen-aways that are coming back and want to be Confirmed.) I think I'll use your statement as part of my presentation on the Eucharist-- if that's all right with you.
Now if I may, let me comment on something else you said [apparently making reference to Catholic doctrine] which I would like to gently correct [because it's not an accurate restatement of Catholic doctrine]:
"If the pastoral blessing turns the bread and wine into pieces of Jesus’ literal body and blood, having demonstrable and startling supernatural properties..."
First, no Catholic would ever say that a "pastoral blessing" turns bread and wine into anything. I always make this clear with my class: Folks, don't think Father Kevin is doing this. That wouiuld be about half-past impossible. Father Kevin is just saying Christ's words: Christ is doing this."
Second, nmo Catholic would ever say thtat the Eucharist is "pieces of Jesus' literal body and blood." Again, this comes up in class, usually from somebody saying "OK, like, how is this different from cannnibalism?" [At that point a few people say "Eeeewww."]
And my response is: Cannibalism is killing somebody and eating dead body parts. The Eucharist is not like that: it's Somebody laying doen His own life, and giving us to eat His whole living self: alive, not dead; the whole Christ --- Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity ---not just parts.
And this is not that He should become part of us, but that we should become part of Him. It's we who become members of His body, and not the other way around.
You may agree with this in whole or in part, or you may disagree, and that's all right. But5 just for accuracy's sake, this is what the Catholic Church teaches.
Sorry. (Fumbling and bumbling.)
It's 'umbling.
:o}
Thank you for your reply.
"It brings to a subjective focus how Christ, though literally sacrificed once way back at Calvary, has somehow managed to penetrate me."
If you want to use my remark, please note that this is the witness of the typical experience of a certain evangelical Christian (i.e. me) in a bible church that regards its communion elements as simple symbols of what Jesus Christ sacrificed at Calvary. But we do recite the appropriate bible quotations, usually from NASB or NKJV.
Bless you, brother in Christ. I will convey your evengelical POV as well as I can. This is very meaningful to me.
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