Religious Identity through diversity in Eucharist
The Importance of the Eucharist in contemporary Christian communities
The Eucharist is the Christian church's most important sacrament. The word Eucharist is the
Greek word for ‘thanksgiving’. Other names: Holy Communion, Mass and Lord’s Supper.
Aware of his approaching death on the cross, Jesus shared a farewell meal with his disciples
e.g. Matthew 26:26-30. He took ordinary bread and wine and shared them, saying of the bread
‘This is my body’ and of the wine ‘This is my blood’.
According to Paul (1 Corinthians 11:26) he then added
‘For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he
comes’.
Similarities in Eucharistic practice in Christian traditions
Ever since, Christians have taken bread and wine to remember Jesus. They believe that by the
grace of God, the bread and wine are symbols or literally, the blood and body of Christ.
The Eucharist is therefore the physical re-enactment of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples.
It is also:
● A meal with the real presence of Jesus
● A source of grace to which all believers are invited
● A memorial of Jesus’ last hours on earth
● A celebration of Jesus’ resurrection
● A symbolic reminder of God’s love for humankind
● A fellowship or ‘communion’ of Christians and between them and God
The Roman Catholic understanding of the Eucharist
Transubstantiation
Transubstantiation: the belief that the bread and wine of the Eucharist actually become the body
and blood of Christ when consecrated by a priest.
Latin roots:
Trans: Crossover
Substantiation: Substance
The Importance of the Eucharist in contemporary Christian communities
The Eucharist is the Christian church's most important sacrament. The word Eucharist is the
Greek word for ‘thanksgiving’. Other names: Holy Communion, Mass and Lord’s Supper.
Aware of his approaching death on the cross, Jesus shared a farewell meal with his disciples
e.g. Matthew 26:26-30. He took ordinary bread and wine and shared them, saying of the bread
‘This is my body’ and of the wine ‘This is my blood’.
According to Paul (1 Corinthians 11:26) he then added
‘For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he
comes’.
Similarities in Eucharistic practice in Christian traditions
Ever since, Christians have taken bread and wine to remember Jesus. They believe that by the
grace of God, the bread and wine are symbols or literally, the blood and body of Christ.
The Eucharist is therefore the physical re-enactment of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples.
It is also:
● A meal with the real presence of Jesus
● A source of grace to which all believers are invited
● A memorial of Jesus’ last hours on earth
● A celebration of Jesus’ resurrection
● A symbolic reminder of God’s love for humankind
● A fellowship or ‘communion’ of Christians and between them and God
The Roman Catholic understanding of the Eucharist
Transubstantiation
Transubstantiation: the belief that the bread and wine of the Eucharist actually become the body
and blood of Christ when consecrated by a priest.
Latin roots:
Trans: Crossover
Substantiation: Substance
