| The celebration of the “Lord’s Supper” at which Christians remember Jesus' death and resurrection. It features a re-telling of the events of Maundy Thursday and the sharing of the bread and wine. From the Greek, εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), meaning "thanksgiving". |  |
A few months ago the WotW was Sacrament and this week we turn our attention to the most commonly practised of the sacraments; The Eucharist. Otherwise known as The Mass, Holy Communion and The Lord’s Supper Christians believe it was instituted by Jesus on the night before he was crucified. In all four gospel accounts (and Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians) he shares the Passover meal with his disciples on the night of his arrest and during the meal he commands them to remember what He was about to do on behalf of all mankind: shed His blood on the cross thereby paying the debt of humanity's sins (Luke 22:19). This is why so many denominations remember this event and re-enact the last supper.
That said, the importance of the Eucharist varies a great deal; from Roman Catholics who celebrate it daily in their churches to Free Churches who might only share the Lord’s Supper on rare occasions.
| For Catholics the last supper was the summit of Jesus’ ministry on earth and is so important now because a mystery occurs every time that it is performed; transubstantiation. This is the turning of the bread into the literal body and blood of Christ. This is not to say that it changes form and that you would be able tell the difference with your senses but the reality of it has changed. |  |
For most denominations the act is symbolic and the sharing of the bread and wine is an opportunity to gather as a community and worship together. Jesus’ command “do this in remembrance of me” is seen as a command to meet together and share a meal – this is certainly how the early Christians interpreted the commandment. In the book of acts it records how the Apostles met "Day by day, attending the Temple together and breaking bread in their homes” (2.46) and how St Paul shared the Eucharist with other early Christians (Acts 20:7). As such it is an act which links modern-day Christians with their fore-fathers in a long line of succession back to Jesus’ death.
So no matter what Christians believe happens at the Eucharist and how they “dress it up” (or indeed dress it down) it is a central point of reference for all Christians and, along with Baptism, is something that you can almost guarantee that a practising Christian has participated in.
If you are a practising Christian comment below to give your insight on the importance of the Eucharist.
So no matter what Christians believe happens at the Eucharist and how they “dress it up” (or indeed dress it down) it is a central point of reference for all Christians and, along with Baptism, is something that you can almost guarantee that a practising Christian has participated in.
If you are a practising Christian comment below to give your insight on the importance of the Eucharist.
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