holy communion

• Holy Communion

  Another name for the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
• different understandings of communion

  catholicism - sacrament

  protestants - ordinance

  quakers and salvation army don't celebrate holy communion at all, because they believe christians should live good lives rather than symbolism
• different churches different names for communion

  church of england - the eucharist

  roman catholicism - mass

  orthodox - the divine liturgy

  baptist churches - the lords supper

  pentecostal churches - the breaking of the bread
• sacraments cont

  sacraments are perceptible signs accessible to our human nature (catechism)

  in other words, they are physical words and actions that act as signs of gods grace acting on human souls
• three aspects of a sacrament

  the ritual actions and words (form)

  some physical substance (matter)

  the understanding and intention of the person performing it (intent)
• mass (roman catholicism)

  celebrated by an ordained priest who has been trained. only those baptised can attend and are allowed to receive bread and wine.

  usually given their first communion around the age of seven or eight after a period of education and preparation, some time before confirmation
• mass ritual

  the bread is unleavened wheat wafers, symbolic of the unleavened bread of passover, and fermented grape wine

  after a section of the service devoted to reading and explaining bible texts, bread and wine are brought to the altar as an offering

  the core purpose of an altar historially, was as a place of sacrifice

  in catholic theology, celebrating the mass is also re-enacting the sacrifice of christ on the cross for human sin
• symbolic actions in consecration

  cupping priests hand over the bread and wine as a symbol of calling down the holy spirit (epiclesis)

  raising the bread and wine above his head (elevation)

  kneeling to show reverence to the sacrament (genuflexion)
• Transubstantiation

  Catholic belief that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ.

  the bread is then broken (fraction) to re enact the way jesus' body was broken in death on the cross
• mass cont

  many catholics fast for at least two hours or overnight before receiving communion as a way of preparing their body

  as a sacrament, it makes a spiritual change to them, any leftovers are consumed by priest and vessels carefully wiped so theres nothing thrown away

  afterwards, members are sent out into the world spiritually stronger
• luke 22:17-20

  "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me... This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you"
• What was the context of Luke 22:17-20?

  Jesus' last supper was a Passover meal.
• What does the unleavened bread symbolize in the Passover meal?

  The unleavened bread represents the haste in leaving Egypt.
• What does the wine symbolize in the Passover meal?

  The wine helps remember God's restoration of the people of Israel.
• How did Jesus enhance the meaning of the bread and wine at the last supper?

  Jesus connected the bread to freedom from sin and the wine to the restoration of the relationship between God and humankind.
• why was luke's account important

  written for early christians who didnt have a jewish heritage- 'the new covenant
• different kinds of importance to the last supper

  passover symbolism, with the extra symbolism of the wine and bread, is incredibly important

  holy communion shows freedom from slavery, sin, restoration from exile and relationship with god

  for others, holy communion is a uncomplicated meal shared with disciples to remember jesus died for humankind
• roman catholicism on the importance of mass

  highly ritualised, symbolic use of the words of jesus imbue holy communion to a very special status

  the bread becomes the actual embodiment of christ

  the wafer is kept after the service and placed in a tabernacle or monstrace so people can pray to the physical presence of christ

  mass is celebrated regularly and is compulsory at some christian festivals like christmas and all saints day

  catholics may want mass during a significant day or difficult time as they believe it is a sacrament with special effects on the soul, emg a funeral or wedding or a spiritual/lifechanging task
• protestantism on holy communion

  only an aspect of worship in the community but no extra symbolic role in life

  holy communion is only one of the many things jesus told his disciples to do, feeding the hungry and caring for others is more important in the world

  baptism is a more significant protestant ordinance than communion

  not celebrated often, around once a month.

  no requirement to receive holy communion in baptist