A Discussion on The Eucharist: The Key Celebration in The Church's Liturgy

The most significant celebration in the Churchs liturgy is the Eucharist. It is recognized as the source and basis of all Catholic life. It is a celebration based on the belief of the Catholic Church that it is a sacrifice making present the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as well as the real spirit of the Christ within the appearance of beard and wine. Coming from Jesus Christ, as the Eucharist is celebrated, the body and blood of Jesus symbolizes with the bread and wine through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Christians believe that The Last Supper was the final meal Jesus Christ shared with his Twelve Apostles and is recognised as the Passover meal in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mar and Luke). During the meal, Jesus said the traditional prayers as he broke the matzot bread (unleavened bread), passed the bread around then added the words “This is my body, which will be given up for you”. Afterwards, the cup of wine along with the traditional Passover prayers was also passed around with the words of Jesus “This is my blood, which will be poured out for you. Do this in memory of me.” Furthermore, the breaking of the bread was celebrated by the early Christians in response to the command of Jesus at the Last Supper Do this in memory of me. The early Christians get together on Sundays, read the Scriptures together to recap the story of Jesus death and resurrection; in order to remember him in the blessing of the bread and wine. However, many ordinary people gradually became like spectators other than participants in the Eucharist. Some were awe-stuck and felt unworthy to receive the Eucharist because the entire Mass, along with the Scripture readings, were all recited or sung in Latin.

In addition, the second Vatican Council emphasised that the holy meal of the community would be recognised as the Eucharist. In order to make this statement comprehensible and to help individuals contribute fully, the Council authorised alterations in the way Mass was celebrated. Changes made into their liturgies consisted of; to help people join in the prayers and readings, the alter was brought forward so the priest could face the people directly; different languages are used when celebrating the mass and not only in Latin; communion can now be received under two species or consecrated bread and wine. In the Church today, the celebration of the Eucharist is divided into four parts. These are; The Introductory Rites; The liturgy of the Word; The liturgy of the Eucharist; Preparation of the Gifts; The Eucharist of the Gifts; The Eucharist Prayer; The Communion Rite; The Concluding Rites.

Throughout the centuries, symbols and symbolic actions have been used thoroughly in Christian liturgy and art to represent ideas contained in the sacraments. The symbols of nourishment are the bread and wine. The bread is the main support in life in many cultures as it represents the body of Christ and thus the main support of spiritual life. Likewise, wine is the most common drink used at meals in many cultures. Therefore breaking of the bread and taking the cup of wine are both symbolic actions in the Christian community.

Ritual actions are structured around the celebration of the Eucharist to formalise and make scared the everyday actions of our lives. The significance of these actions is explored by the ritual actions of the Eucharist touch on the following events participated on a daily basis, which includes: gathering, reconciliation, proclaiming the Word, listening to the Word, giving of the gifts, reflecting on our story in the Eucharist, sharing the meal and going out to make a difference.

The Catholics carries out the aspects of the Eucharist in their everyday life by fasting one month prior to Easter as a way to show that God suffer 40 days without food which is also recognized as the Passover meal. The pass over is one of the greatest yet meaningful holiday of the year that marks the freedom of the Jews from enslavement by the Egyptians. Old Testament confirmed that the Jews, led by Moses, had requested freedom from the Pharaoh of Egypt, however was denied. Therefore, as a punishment for the Egyptians, God sent the 10 plagues to Egypt to convince the Pharaoh to release the Jews. During the celebration of Passover, the Seder meal takes place. These special feasts consist of eating particular food such as the traditional Matzah bread.

On the other hand, the celebrating of the death and resurrection of Jesus as for what he did for us, attending mass every week to reunite with god and to listen to his words as well as doing daily prayers so god can forgive our sins are all other aspects that the Catholics carry out in their everyday life.

The Eucharist is about life as it illustrates that the Catholic community is associated as one and that we worship the one god. Messages spread by people to the world though the words of God are shown in readings of Jesus forgiving his enemies, therefore so can we. Receiving the communion allows us to be together as one with the Christ, thus creating a strong form of relationship in the community. In todays society, individuals live the Eucharist in many different ways; they tend to imitate the actions of Jesus as well as his way of living in order to imitate his goodness and respond to the readings of the gospels within the bible by reflection on what one has learnt from the reading.

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