The Eucharist gathers the community of believers (the Church)
"This is my body ... This is my blood." The changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Risen Jesus reminds us that he is truly with us. Bread and wine as earthly substances, sustain and nourish us physically; bread and wine in the Eucharist nourish us spiritually. "This is my body given for you." The Eucharist is a sacrifice that makes present the offering of Christ for our salvation. The Eucharist is a memorial. The words "Do this in memory of me" help us to recall the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; so that empowered by his Spirit we bring his love to the world.
“Coming to the table of the Eucharist, we eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man so that we may have eternal life and show forth the unity of God’s people.” The Eucharist is a sacrament, a visible sign or symbol of the presence of God. Through the Eucharist we enter into the Paschal Mystery. While never fully understood, Eucharist is to be experienced as a sign of God's unending and unqualified love for us and for all creation.
The liturgy of the Eucharist offers forgiveness. In the penitential rite we ask for the forgiveness of our neighbours and of God. The sign of peace is also an expression of reconciliation and a call to conversion. At the end of our celebration we are challenged to go forth to be a sign of the Lord's presence in our world.
Sources:
- To celebrate
- To listen to God's word
- In the power of the Spirit, to praise and thank our Creator with Jesus
- To receive Jesus in Holy communion as a promise of eternal life
- To commit ourselves to transform our world
"This is my body ... This is my blood." The changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Risen Jesus reminds us that he is truly with us. Bread and wine as earthly substances, sustain and nourish us physically; bread and wine in the Eucharist nourish us spiritually. "This is my body given for you." The Eucharist is a sacrifice that makes present the offering of Christ for our salvation. The Eucharist is a memorial. The words "Do this in memory of me" help us to recall the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; so that empowered by his Spirit we bring his love to the world.
“Coming to the table of the Eucharist, we eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man so that we may have eternal life and show forth the unity of God’s people.” The Eucharist is a sacrament, a visible sign or symbol of the presence of God. Through the Eucharist we enter into the Paschal Mystery. While never fully understood, Eucharist is to be experienced as a sign of God's unending and unqualified love for us and for all creation.
The liturgy of the Eucharist offers forgiveness. In the penitential rite we ask for the forgiveness of our neighbours and of God. The sign of peace is also an expression of reconciliation and a call to conversion. At the end of our celebration we are challenged to go forth to be a sign of the Lord's presence in our world.
Sources:
- Eucharist and Reconciliation: A Planning and Resource Guide
- Journey of Faith
- National Bulletin on Liturgy No. 153
- Rite of Baptism for Children
- Sacraments: How Catholics Pray by Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.
- The Christian Sacraments of Initiation by Kenan B. Osborne, O.F.M.
- What Makes Us Catholic: 8 Gifts for Life by Thomas Groome