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The Eucharist is the central act of Christian worship and has been from the beginning as it directly, links us with the benefits of Christ's love in the resurrection. In the New Testament we have four accounts of the institution of the Eucharist, 1 Cor 11.23-26. Mk 14.22-24, Lk 22.17-2 and Matt 26.26-29.
We come to share the chalice of Christ. Medical specialists in this field tell us that there is minimal risk. It is a greater risk in sharing the greeting of peace, with a handshake! If you have any concerns, do not recieve from the chalice. This is better than dipping the bread in the wine. The Bread without the Wine is acceptable to have received the presence of Christ to enliven your life.
Anglican article 27 tells us that The Eucharist is more than a fellowship meal, it is a Sacrament of our redemption, through this we receive the saving grace of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The article says that we cannot say the Bread and Wine, changes physically and becomes real physical flesh and real physical blood.
We believe that the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus.
This is Jesus here and now giving himself to us, in our time as he gave himself for us in the crucifixion.
We offer ourselves in the Eucharist through the gifts of bread and wine, and in return Jesus offers himself to us that we may become his body in the world.
The Eucharist is like a lens through which we can see the true nature and meaning of our world and the reason of our existence.
Key texts are John 13. 1, 1 Cor 10. 16-17 and John ch 6
The Eucharist is: - a thanksgiving and praise to the Father; - the sacrificial memorial of Christ and his Body;- the presence of Christ by the power of his word and of his Spirit.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our life and faith as the church.
How often should we receive Communion? Acts 2:46-7 "Day by day as they spent much time together in the temple, they, broke bread at home."
So what is this most important act of worship called?
This liturgy has been called the Eucharist from the Greek of thanksgiving found in Lk 22.19, 1 Cor 1 1.2. Mt 26.26, Mk 14.22
The Lord's Supper- from the meal on the eve of his Passion and as it anticipates the heavenly wedding feast 1 Cor 11.20, Rev 19.9.
The Breaking of the bread, from the Jewish rite, by which the disciples after the resurrection will recognise Jesus; signifying the one bread that is broken, Christ, uniting us to form one body in him. Mtt 26.26, 1 Cor 11.24
The memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection. Lk 22.19 et.al.
The Holy and Divine Liturgy, because the church whole liturgy finds its centre and most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament.
We talk of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the sacrament of Sacraments, the great presence of Jesus most objectively with us.
The Holy Communion, because this is the sacrament which continues to unite us to Christ.
The Holy Mass, because from the Latin it sends us out to fulfill God's work in the world in our daily lives, making sense of our worship together to be Christ in the world.
The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Saviour and includes a churches offering. Expresses our 'Spiritual sacrifice', our 'sacrifice of praise' Heb 13. 15, 1 Pet 2. 5.
The Holy Eucharist celebrates the great sacrifice and love that God has for us. That we are one body because we share in the one bread that is Christ. May we therefore properly prepare and respect the real presence of Christ in our church, that we may recognise the presence Christ in the world, with the brothers and sisters we meet day to day.
