The Eucharist

by Rod Hetherton

The biggest event in my memory from CCD class was the 7th and 8th grade trips to Boblo Island, near Detroit. I loved feeling like an adult, riding the ferry, and looking for girls. The next biggest thing I remember was my brother getting put in a closet by a nun for some ridiculous reason. So what was I supposed to have learned in catechism class?

The Challenge

As Catholic adults, it is very important that we continue to learn about the church. Whether it is through our own research or formal adult religious education, we need to know what we are doing and why. Perhaps other non-Catholic Christians have it too easy -- learn the bible and you are all set. Be that as it may, the Catholic Church is full of sacraments, traditions, and wonderful riches handed down from the early Christians.

I learned first hand how important it was to have some knowledge when I found myself in a few "religious" discussions with some co-workers. They started asking me questions to which I didn't know how to respond. I felt I knew the answer deep in my heart, but I had no words or wisdom to express it verbally. It looked as if I didn't know what my own church believed.

Then the topic of the Eucharist, or "communion" to my non-Catholic friends, came up. I was bombarded with questions like: Why can't we just break bread here and now? Why can't anyone come to a Catholic Church and receive communion? Do you go to church every week just to receive communion? The only answers I had remembered from CCD class were "this is the way it is done" kind of answers, so I turned to the Catechism and did my own research.

The New Covenant

Jesus is our new covenant. And when he told us to "do this in memory of me", that is just what the early Christians did. They met often to break bread, pray, and share teachings. Most importantly though, they met on Sunday in remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus, and we continue this practice today as a vital part of our church.

I was actually surprised to see how the early Christians did such similar practices to what we do today. It gave me great comfort to know that we are not just a big bureaucratic organization; we hold fast to teachings that came directly from the followers of Jesus. They read readings, had sermons, offered prayers, and exchanged a kiss. A presider prays over the bread and wine, and the Eucharist is distributed. Sound familiar?

The Catechism tells of how these practices have been passed down for centuries. The mass can be broken down into two liturgies: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Together they are our one celebration.

Wisdom of the Eucharist

The readers read readings, the priest says prayers, and we all come together in communion. The Eucharist is the key to this celebration. It is so precious and important that the Catechism says "no one may take part in it unless he believes that what we teach is true, has received baptism for the forgiveness of sins and new birth, and lives in keeping with what Christ taught".

The Catechism also tells us what to believe about this sacred celebration. The Eucharist should be considered:

1. thanksgiving and praise to the Father,
2. a sacrificial memorial of Christ and his Body, and
3. the real presence of Christ by the power of his word and of his Spirit.

Not only are we coming to mass each week to be refreshed and renewed for the coming week, we are also coming to mass to take part in the sacrifice of Christ. That is what the Eucharist is. It is Christ. It is a reminder of his suffering, death, and resurrection, yet it is more than a mere sign. We believe that the bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Jesus. And partaking of the body and blood is a moment in which to thank God for giving us His only son -- for loving us that much.

Living the Challenge, Living the Eucharist

The Catholic Church considers us all one Body in Christ. That is who we are. That is how we are challenged to live -- like Christ. Coming to mass each week, and being renewed and receiving the Eucharist, happens in just one hour of the week. One hour of the168 hours that we are given each week... but we receive the Eucharist so that we may be Christ for others during those other 167 hours of the week.

If I am ever bombarded with questions again, I know I can stand strong and answer them with wisdom. I know what I believe and I know what the Church believes. The challenge isn't in the discussion -- it is in living our lives for Christ. Anyway, I think this is what I would have to say to those earlier questions:

Answer #1 -- I break bread every Sunday in remembrance of Christ's resurrection, just as the early Christians did.

Answer #2 -- The reason that only Catholic's can receive the Eucharist is that it is a holy event that has a shared meaning and truth to those that believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Answer #3 -- No, I don't go to church every week just to receive communion; but yes it is a vital part of the mass in which there is thanksgiving, sacrifice, and the presence of Christ.

Life Applications:

Do you ever find yourself not knowing what the Church believes?
How is the Eucharist an important part of your experience at mass?
If Christians believe in the all-powerful nature of God, why is it so hard for some people to believe that bread and wine become body and blood?

Copyright 2002-2008 by Rod Hetherton
All rights reserved.