Terrywoodenpic
Oldest Heretic
Thoughts On the Eucharist
A resent thread by @e.r.m. and his doubt as to the centrality of the Eucharist in worship led me to reprise my thoughts on the matter………..
Most of the traditional churches believe that the Eucharist is central to Christian worship.
However they differ as to its meaning, in particular to the nature of the host. These differences go back to the earliest days of Christianity.
First I would like to introduce to those who have not seen it before, the form of Eucharist as used by one branch of the earliest (mid first century) Judaeo-Christian communities, as set out in the Didache
(translation by Aaron Milavech. From the Greek)
9:1 (And) concerning the eucharist, Eucharistize thus:
9:2 First, concerning the cup:
We give you thanks, our Father,
for the holy vine of your servant David
which you revealed to us through your servant Jesus.
To you [is] the glory forever.
9:3 And concerning the broken [loaf]:
We give you thanks, our Father,
for the life and knowledge
which you revealed to us through your servant Jesus.
To you [is] the glory forever.
9:4Just as this broken [loaf] was scattered
over the hills [as grain],
and, having_been_gathered_together, became one;
in -like - fashion., may your church be_gathered_together
from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
Because yours is the glory and the power
through Jesus Christ forever.
9:5(And) let no one eat or drink from your eucharist
except those baptized in the name of [the] Lord,
for the Lord has likewise said concerning this:
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs."
It can be seen from this, that at that time, there was no thought of the Eucharist being in anyway related to the Body or blood of Jesus.
Earlier verses leading up to the ones shown, describe the Eucharist as an actual Friday evening meal that was given in thanks by the whole community, and in remembrance for the life of Jesus.
The Prayer 9:3...4 is an eschatological prayer of hope that the church, at the end of days, will be gathered together as one, in Gods Kingdom. Just as the seed which was scattered over the land is gathered together to form one bread. The Cup, as the Holy Vine of David was a Jewish messianic allusion, that Christians relate to Jesus.
It is interesting that unlike today the wine was blessed and given before the Bread. Just as you find in Luke's Gospel, but not elsewhere.
This shines a whole different light on the significance of the Eucharist, not for those early Christians, but for us today.
Through the ages The Catholic Church in particular and others because of their roots in that faith,
have come to see the Eucharist, not as one of remembrance, thanksgiving and, eschatological hope.
But as one of sacrifice and the real, or symbolic, eating of Jesus Body and Blood.
Some churches believe that the Eucharist is unique. In that when we celebrate the Eucharist, that we are celebrating with those original disciples, in the presence of Jesus. With the Holy family, Saints, and all that have gone before us.
That there is and was, only one celebration of the Eucharist, in which we all share.
I would go even further in suggesting that It was not only the disciples at that “Last supper”, but that it was prepared and attended by all those that were usually present with Jesus, including Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene and all those that were to be soon to witness his trial and crucifixion. And go on to witness his resurrection.
I feel more in tune with the meaningful Eucharist of the Didache, as one of celebration remembrance thanksgiving, and hope, than I do with the various modern understandings that are taught today.
A resent thread by @e.r.m. and his doubt as to the centrality of the Eucharist in worship led me to reprise my thoughts on the matter………..
Most of the traditional churches believe that the Eucharist is central to Christian worship.
However they differ as to its meaning, in particular to the nature of the host. These differences go back to the earliest days of Christianity.
First I would like to introduce to those who have not seen it before, the form of Eucharist as used by one branch of the earliest (mid first century) Judaeo-Christian communities, as set out in the Didache
(translation by Aaron Milavech. From the Greek)
9:1 (And) concerning the eucharist, Eucharistize thus:
9:2 First, concerning the cup:
We give you thanks, our Father,
for the holy vine of your servant David
which you revealed to us through your servant Jesus.
To you [is] the glory forever.
9:3 And concerning the broken [loaf]:
We give you thanks, our Father,
for the life and knowledge
which you revealed to us through your servant Jesus.
To you [is] the glory forever.
9:4Just as this broken [loaf] was scattered
over the hills [as grain],
and, having_been_gathered_together, became one;
in -like - fashion., may your church be_gathered_together
from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
Because yours is the glory and the power
through Jesus Christ forever.
9:5(And) let no one eat or drink from your eucharist
except those baptized in the name of [the] Lord,
for the Lord has likewise said concerning this:
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs."
It can be seen from this, that at that time, there was no thought of the Eucharist being in anyway related to the Body or blood of Jesus.
Earlier verses leading up to the ones shown, describe the Eucharist as an actual Friday evening meal that was given in thanks by the whole community, and in remembrance for the life of Jesus.
The Prayer 9:3...4 is an eschatological prayer of hope that the church, at the end of days, will be gathered together as one, in Gods Kingdom. Just as the seed which was scattered over the land is gathered together to form one bread. The Cup, as the Holy Vine of David was a Jewish messianic allusion, that Christians relate to Jesus.
It is interesting that unlike today the wine was blessed and given before the Bread. Just as you find in Luke's Gospel, but not elsewhere.
This shines a whole different light on the significance of the Eucharist, not for those early Christians, but for us today.
Through the ages The Catholic Church in particular and others because of their roots in that faith,
have come to see the Eucharist, not as one of remembrance, thanksgiving and, eschatological hope.
But as one of sacrifice and the real, or symbolic, eating of Jesus Body and Blood.
Some churches believe that the Eucharist is unique. In that when we celebrate the Eucharist, that we are celebrating with those original disciples, in the presence of Jesus. With the Holy family, Saints, and all that have gone before us.
That there is and was, only one celebration of the Eucharist, in which we all share.
I would go even further in suggesting that It was not only the disciples at that “Last supper”, but that it was prepared and attended by all those that were usually present with Jesus, including Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene and all those that were to be soon to witness his trial and crucifixion. And go on to witness his resurrection.
I feel more in tune with the meaningful Eucharist of the Didache, as one of celebration remembrance thanksgiving, and hope, than I do with the various modern understandings that are taught today.
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