The Eucharist
Eucharist [meaning “Thanksgiving,” and also known as “Holy Communion,” “Mass,” and “The Lord’s Supper”] is recognized as the central act of worship in the Episcopal/Anglican liturgy, as well as that of our mother church, Roman Catholic, and its affiliated orthodox branches. Have you ever considered these words from the various approved forms for the consecration of the elements in our Book of Common Prayer?
A. “Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him.” [p. 363]
B. “Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant.” [p. 369]
C. “Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.” [p. 371]
D. “We pray that your Holy Spirit may descend upon us and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.” [p. 375]
E. “Vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine, that we…may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.” [p. 335]
F. “Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.” [p. 403]
G. “Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts. Let them be for us the Body and Blood of your Son.” [p. 405]
Are the differences in the wording significant? Are the elements MOLECULARLY changed [see B & C], or SPIRITUALLY changed, or is their SIGNIFICANCE changed]? And did He mean for everyone [see B], for all Christians [see A, D, & F], or just for those gathered [see E & G]? What did He mean by “EACH TIME you do this, do it in for the remembrance of me”—each Passover, each holy day, each supper, each meal, or each Thursday? Is the Eucharist a simple memorial—a chance to remember him [as the words suggest]—or is it more? How much more? What do YOU believe? And finally, the real question: how critical are these considerations to understanding our faith?
A. “Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him.” [p. 363]
B. “Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant.” [p. 369]
C. “Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.” [p. 371]
D. “We pray that your Holy Spirit may descend upon us and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.” [p. 375]
E. “Vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine, that we…may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.” [p. 335]
F. “Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.” [p. 403]
G. “Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts. Let them be for us the Body and Blood of your Son.” [p. 405]
Are the differences in the wording significant? Are the elements MOLECULARLY changed [see B & C], or SPIRITUALLY changed, or is their SIGNIFICANCE changed]? And did He mean for everyone [see B], for all Christians [see A, D, & F], or just for those gathered [see E & G]? What did He mean by “EACH TIME you do this, do it in for the remembrance of me”—each Passover, each holy day, each supper, each meal, or each Thursday? Is the Eucharist a simple memorial—a chance to remember him [as the words suggest]—or is it more? How much more? What do YOU believe? And finally, the real question: how critical are these considerations to understanding our faith?
posted by Bill Stecher at 5:51 PM
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