RCIA Session 20: The Eucharist 1 Session 20: The Eucharist The - PDF document

10/23/2019 RCIA Session 20: The Eucharist 1 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Introduction • “Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, men, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.’” (Jn 6:53-56) 2 2 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Introduction (cont.) • “Then many of his disciples who were listening said, ‘This saying is hard; who can accept it?’…As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” (Jn 6:60,66) 3 3 1

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Introduction (cont.) • “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat ; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘ Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Mt 26:26-28) 4 4 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Introduction (cont.) • Ever since the Last Supper, Christians truly eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood in the Eucharist 5 5 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Introduction (cont.) • Completes Christian initiation • Most intimate union with Christ • Jesus present Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity – The Real Presence • Source and summit of all Christian life – A participation on earth in the life of Heaven 6 6 2

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Introduction (cont.) • Sunday: the day of Resurrection – Honor the sabbath by obligatory Mass – Rest from servile labor Going to Mass by Gladys MacCabe 7 (1918-2018) 7 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Names for the Eucharist • Eucharist: “to give thanks” (Lk 22:17) eucharisteó : to be thankful Original Word: εὐχαριστέω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eucharisteó Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-khar-is-teh'-o) Definition: to be thankful Usage: I thank, give thanks 8 8 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Names for the Eucharist (cont.) • Lord’s Supper: Last Supper & Heavenly Banquet 9 9 3

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Names for the Eucharist (cont.) • Breaking of the Bread – Prefigured by Jewish Passover – Jesus recognized in the “breaking of the bread” 10 10 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Names for the Eucharist (cont.) • Holy & Divine Liturgy/Most Blessed Sacrament – Source and summit of the Christian life 11 11 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Names for the Eucharist (cont.) • Sacrifice of the Mass: we join Jesus at the cross 12 12 4

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Names for the Eucharist (cont.) • Holy Communion – Unite ourselves with Christ – Unite ourselves with His Body (the Church) • In Heaven • In Purgatory • On earth 13 13 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Names for the Eucharist (cont.) • Holy Mass – Ite missa est : go, you are sent – Sent to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ 14 14 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist The Eucharistic Celebration • Jesus instituted at the Last Supper… – Holy Orders – Holy Communion 15 15 5

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist The Eucharistic Celebration (cont.) • Consecration : gifts of bread and wine transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ – Through the power of the Holy Spirit – Through words: Take and eat…take and drink 16 16 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Proper Reception of the Eucharist • “[W]hoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Cor 11:27) 17 17 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Proper Reception of the Eucharist (cont.) • Must be in the state of grace (no mortal sin) – Otherwise, must go to Confession first • One hour fast before receiving • Pray immediately before and in daily life 18 18 6

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Proper Reception of the Eucharist (cont.) • Obliged to receive once a year • Bow before receiving • Host: in hand or on tongue; cup: just a sip • Minister: “The Body/Blood of ☧ ”; you: “Amen” 19 19 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Grace of the Eucharist • Principal effect: intimate union with Christ – Physically joined to Jesus – Preserves, increases, renews grace of Baptism – Enkindles charity and greater love for God – Become more like the one we receive 20 20 Session 20: The Eucharist The Eucharist Grace of the Eucharist (cont.) • Secondary effect: union with the Church – Share in Jesus’ mission together: go out to all the nations and teach them all that Jesus commanded 21 21 7

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist The Real Presence Transubstantiation : bread/wine no longer exist – Become the Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity of Jesus – In the smallest crumb, tiniest drop – Jesus remains as long as the species exists 22 22 Session 20: The Eucharist The Real Presence • Seen through the eyes of faith – Unless you eat, drink, you have no life (Jn 6:53) – This is My Body, My Blood (Lk 22:19-20) – “I will be with you always” (Mt 18:20) – The Word created everything so He can do this – Many Eucharistic miracles 23 The miracle of Lanciano on display 23 Session 20: The Eucharist The Real Presence • Worship of the Eucharist – In the tabernacle – Kneel, bow, Sign of the Cross – Adoration • Blessed Sacrament exposed on altar for prayer, worship 24 24 8

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament Ark of the Covenant and the Bread of Presence • God dwelt in the Ark where the bread of the Presence was to be kept (Ex 25:30) • God met and spoke with Moses there • Permanent dwelling (temple) build by Solomon 25 25 Session 20: The Eucharist Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament • In a tabernacle in every Catholic church – Place where Jesus will meet & speak with us • Signs and gestures – Perpetually burning candle – Maybe flowers and votive candles – Genuflect or bow toward the tabernacle – “Make a visit” to Jesus – Sign of the Cross when passing a church 26 26 Session 20: The Eucharist Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament Function in the Ministry of the Church • Blessed Sacrament must be the center of life • Tabernacle keeps Jesus central – Jesus can be taken to the sick, shut-ins – Jesus can lead Eucharistic processions – Jesus is there for holy hours • Perpetual adoration encouraged 27 27 9

10/23/2019 Session 20: The Eucharist Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament Function in the Ministry of the Church (cont.) • Causes love to grow in hearts, strength to grow in spirits 28 28 Session 20: The Eucharist 29 29 10