The Eucharist Flashcards
Simple Explanation
Holy Communion sacrament using bread and wine to celebrate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross & resurrection, give thanks to God for sending Jesus (atonement), enabling them to experience God’s love for eternity, commemorates Last Supper
Orthodox Belief
Jesus is present in the bread and wine in a spiritual way, transformed into his body and blood
Church of England belief
Spiritual presence bread & wine, identical service to Catholic, sign of peace shared at a different point in service before offerings of bread & wine, emphasis on community meal being shared with all
Iconostasis
Wall of religious art used to separate the nave (body) of the Church from the sanctuary around the altar (represents divide between Earth & Heaven)
Baptist Belief
Emphasis on sharing of community meal, non-alcoholic wine, symbolic of death re-enactment of last supper ‘memorialism’
Catholic Belief
Bread & wine actual flesh & blood of Jesus (transubstantiation),
Lutheran Belief
consubstantiation, sacramental union, mystical presence of Jesus in bread & wine
Link
Food & drink intrinsic to human physical survival, sacrament intrinsic to spiritual survival
United Reformed Church Service
Begins with hymn, prayer of praise & thanksgiving, Bible readings & sermon, congregation prays for world & needs of particular people, minister reminds congregations of Jesus’ teaching @ Last Supper & says prayer of thanksgiving “This is my body” “This is my blood”, ‘open table’ anyone can receive wine & bread, some may come forward, wine may be non-alcoholic & distributed in small cups, bread cut beforehand or broken off and passed through congregation, prayer of thanksgiving, blessing & encouragement to go out & serve God
The Catholic Mass
Begins w greeting from priest, prayers of penance & praise (‘Gloria’), instituted by Jesus @ last supper - sharing of bread & wine w disciples,
Liturgy of the Word (Mass)
Three readings from Bible (Old Testament, Paul’s letters, the Gospel), a psalm and a homily, prayers for the Church, the local community, the sick & the dead, preceded by the Creed on Sundays
Liturgy of the World (Divine Liturgy)
Hymns, prayers, Bible readings, priest comes through Royal Doors to chant Gospel, may be sermon
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Offerings of bread & wine brought to alter, Eucharistic prayer priest using words of Jesus @ Last Supper, prays over wine w similar words, people say Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace congregation & priest, come forward to receive communion, priest blesses people
Language of the Eucharist
“He gave you thanks, he broke it [the bread], gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you in remembrance of me.”, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your lives.”
The Divine Liturgy
Recreates Heaven on Earth, much of service takes place in sanctuary, priest passes through iconostasis using Royal Doors, church filled with candles & incense to help ppl feel God’s presence
Name Meaning
In communion with & therefore part of Christ, Eucharist means thanksgiving
Global Impact
Reminds starvation, encourages to work for equality & justice, churches collect money to support work for developing countries, elderly, prisoners & homeless
Liturgy of the Faithful
Priest comes through Royal Doors, receives wine & bread baked by congregation & selects one loaf to be consecrated, Creed, Lord’s Prayer & other prayers offered for Church, world & local community, behind closed Royal Doors priest says words Jesus said @ Last Supper, bread divided in four (3 consecrated, 1 unconsecrated and broken into small pieces), priest gives wine & consecrated bread on spoon to those seeking communion, prayers of thanksgiving, priest gives ppl leaving unconsecrated bread to take home as a sign of being part of Christian community
Perception of Holy Communion
Receiving God’s grace by joining in the great sacrifice of Jesus, act of fellowship w fellow Christians and communion w God, past event becomes present reality, unity, strengthens commitment to faith, gives support & encouragement in difficult times, put love into God into loving others, Holy communion meal where everyone equal
Is it a sacrament for all Churches?
No, but significant ceremony for all. For Catholics, Jesus is made present once again and they are truly receiving Him. At the centre of the lives of many Christians, essence of faith.
