The Eucharist 5 The Practice of Reservation. Barriers to Intercommunion. Conclusion: The Eucharist.

The Eucharist 5The Eucharist 5

The Practice of The Practice of Reservation.Reservation.Barriers to Barriers to

Intercommunion.Intercommunion.Conclusion: The Eucharist.Conclusion: The Eucharist.

The Practice of ReservationThe Practice of Reservation

Practice of ReservationPractice of Reservation Practice of Reservation of the SacramentPractice of Reservation of the Sacrament

A divisive subject for Catholics and ProtestantsA divisive subject for Catholics and Protestants Some of the consecrated bread and wine may be Some of the consecrated bread and wine may be

left over after a Eucharist and “reserved”left over after a Eucharist and “reserved” Used for the later Communion of the sick and Used for the later Communion of the sick and

home-boundhome-bound Used as a focus for later private or corporate Used as a focus for later private or corporate

devotiondevotion

Practice of ReservationPractice of ReservationHistoryHistory

Justin Martyr (100-165):Justin Martyr (100-165): Deacons took Eucharistic bread to those who were Deacons took Eucharistic bread to those who were

absentabsent The illThe ill Slaves who could not get to churchSlaves who could not get to church PrisonersPrisoners

Several days might pass before the consecrated Several days might pass before the consecrated bread could be deliveredbread could be delivered


Tertullian (155-220)Tertullian (155-220) Christians desired frequent communion, but Christians desired frequent communion, but

persecution limited Eucharistic servicespersecution limited Eucharistic services Christians began keeping some consecrated bread Christians began keeping some consecrated bread

and wineand wine at homeat home on their personon their person


Irenaeus (~150 to ~200), Bishop of Lyons:Irenaeus (~150 to ~200), Bishop of Lyons: Bishops sent pieces of consecrated bread from the Bishops sent pieces of consecrated bread from the

main diocesan church to all the parish churchesmain diocesan church to all the parish churches Sign that there is really but One Church and One Sign that there is really but One Church and One

Eucharist (Eucharist (spatialspatial continuity) continuity) Perhaps also a sign of the bishop’s jurisdictionPerhaps also a sign of the bishop’s jurisdiction

Bishops kept pieces of the consecrated bread in the Bishops kept pieces of the consecrated bread in the main diocesan church from one Eucharist to the main diocesan church from one Eucharist to the nextnext

Sign of Sign of temporaltemporal continuity continuity


Consecrated elements were treated with great, Consecrated elements were treated with great, perhaps superstitious reverenceperhaps superstitious reverence

Hippolytus (170-235), Hippolytus (170-235), Apostolic TraditionsApostolic Traditions: if : if consecrated bread kept at home:consecrated bread kept at home: Must not be allowed to fallMust not be allowed to fall Must not get lostMust not get lost Must be protected against miceMust be protected against mice

Ancient sources tell of a third century Ancient sources tell of a third century Christian rebuked for carrying the consecrated Christian rebuked for carrying the consecrated bread with him to the circus (unseemly locale)bread with him to the circus (unseemly locale)


Middle Ages: Adoration of God as present in Middle Ages: Adoration of God as present in the consecrated bread and winethe consecrated bread and wine Elevation of the host and chaliceElevation of the host and chalice

Originally one elevation, at the end of the Eucharistic Originally one elevation, at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer (“… By him, and with him, and in him, in the Prayer (“… By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.”)Almighty Father, now and for ever.”)

1200’s: two additional elevations added1200’s: two additional elevations added Words of institution over the breadWords of institution over the bread Words of institution over the wineWords of institution over the wine


Adoration of God as present in the consecrated Adoration of God as present in the consecrated bread and winebread and wine Service of Benediction after the EucharistService of Benediction after the Eucharist Genuflecting before the “reserved” host in the Genuflecting before the “reserved” host in the

tabernacletabernacle Corpus Christi procession: the “reserved” host is Corpus Christi procession: the “reserved” host is

paraded in a corporate “extra-liturgical” devotionparaded in a corporate “extra-liturgical” devotion

What do these What do these practices imply about practices imply about

the nature of the the nature of the Eucharist?Eucharist?

Practice of ReservationPractice of ReservationTheologyTheology

Implications about the Real Presence of Jesus. Implications about the Real Presence of Jesus. Was the change of bread and wine into the real Was the change of bread and wine into the real Presence of Jesus, body and blood, a:Presence of Jesus, body and blood, a: Permanent changePermanent change in some objective reality? in some objective reality?

((Catholic, Orthodox, AnglicanCatholic, Orthodox, Anglican view) view) Impermanent changeImpermanent change in some objective reality, a in some objective reality, a

change that exists only with the physical presence change that exists only with the physical presence of a Eucharistic community and the proclamation of a Eucharistic community and the proclamation of the Eucharistic words? (the of the Eucharistic words? (the LutheranLutheran view) view)


Taking the consecrated bread and wine to the ill and Taking the consecrated bread and wine to the ill and shut-insshut-ins Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans:Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans: they receive the body and they receive the body and

blood of Christblood of Christ LutheransLutherans: they receive the body and blood of Christ : they receive the body and blood of Christ if if the the

distribution is accompanied by Eucharistic prayers and a distribution is accompanied by Eucharistic prayers and a small Eucharistic communitysmall Eucharistic community

Protestants who do not believe in the “real presence” (= Protestants who do not believe in the “real presence” (= there is there is nono change in the bread and wine in some objective change in the bread and wine in some objective reality):reality): it’s just bread and wine. Could be symbolic part of it’s just bread and wine. Could be symbolic part of a small prayer servicea small prayer service


Using the “reserved” consecrated bread and Using the “reserved” consecrated bread and wine as a focus for private or corporate wine as a focus for private or corporate devotiondevotion Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans:Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans: theologically theologically

justifiablejustifiable Lutherans:Lutherans: it’s just bread and wine in the absence it’s just bread and wine in the absence

of a Eucharistic Community and Eucharistic of a Eucharistic Community and Eucharistic Prayers, and hence it’s – idolatry!Prayers, and hence it’s – idolatry!

Protestants who don’t believe in the Real Presence:Protestants who don’t believe in the Real Presence: it’s just bread and wine, period, and hence it’s – it’s just bread and wine, period, and hence it’s – idolatry!idolatry!


Using the “reserved” consecrated bread and Using the “reserved” consecrated bread and wine as a focus for private or corporate wine as a focus for private or corporate devotiondevotion Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans:Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans: theologically theologically

justifiablejustifiable Catholics:Catholics: devotion to the reserved elements at times has devotion to the reserved elements at times has

been almost a cultbeen almost a cult Orthodox:Orthodox: have reverence for the reserved elements, but have reverence for the reserved elements, but

few devotions (perhaps because of iconography)few devotions (perhaps because of iconography) Anglicans:Anglicans: some find spiritual value in the consecrated some find spiritual value in the consecrated

elements reserved in a tabernacleelements reserved in a tabernacle


““The tabernacle on the altar or the aumbry The tabernacle on the altar or the aumbry set into the wall, veiled and with a light set into the wall, veiled and with a light burning perpetually in front of it, is a most burning perpetually in front of it, is a most powerful symbol of Christ’s abiding powerful symbol of Christ’s abiding presence. No doubt there is a temptation to presence. No doubt there is a temptation to linger there, as Mary of Bethany lingered, linger there, as Mary of Bethany lingered, listening to the teachings of Jesus while her listening to the teachings of Jesus while her sister Martha got on with the work. The sister Martha got on with the work. The church will always have activists and church will always have activists and contemplatives, and it needs both. . .”contemplatives, and it needs both. . .”

- Macquarrie, p. 154- Macquarrie, p. 154


““It is as impossible for devout faith, contemplating It is as impossible for devout faith, contemplating Christ in this sacrament, as it is for a loving mother, Christ in this sacrament, as it is for a loving mother, looking earnestly at her child, not to love it. The looking earnestly at her child, not to love it. The mother’s consciousness of her love, and her mother’s consciousness of her love, and her outward manifestation of it, may vary; scruples, outward manifestation of it, may vary; scruples, interruptions, bewilderments may occur; but there it interruptions, bewilderments may occur; but there it is in her heart, you cannot suppress it. So must is in her heart, you cannot suppress it. So must there be special adoration and worship in the heart there be special adoration and worship in the heart of everyone seriously believing a special, of everyone seriously believing a special, mysterious, presence, of Christ, God, and man, mysterious, presence, of Christ, God, and man, expressed by the words, ‘This is my body’.expressed by the words, ‘This is my body’.

- John Keble (1792-1866). - John Keble (1792-1866). On Eucharistic AdorationOn Eucharistic Adoration (Professor (Professor of Poetry, Oxford University, member of the “Oxford of Poetry, Oxford University, member of the “Oxford

Movement” of Anglican historyMovement” of Anglican history

IntercommunionIntercommunion


Differing views on the Practice of Differing views on the Practice of “Reservation” has been a major problem in “Reservation” has been a major problem in achieving intercommunion among Christiansachieving intercommunion among Christians

IntercommunionIntercommunion Differences in the three main theologies on the Differences in the three main theologies on the

Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist:Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist: 1.1. Real Presence involves a Real Presence involves a permanent change permanent change in in

some objective reality (some objective reality (Catholic, Orthodox, Catholic, Orthodox, AnglicanAnglican view) view)

2.2. Real Presence is an Real Presence is an impermanent change impermanent change in in some objective reality, a change that exists only some objective reality, a change that exists only with the physical presence of a Eucharistic with the physical presence of a Eucharistic community and the proclamation of the Eucharistic community and the proclamation of the Eucharistic words (the words (the LutheranLutheran view) view)

3.3. There is no Real Presence. There is There is no Real Presence. There is no changeno change in any objective reality (strict in any objective reality (strict CalvinistCalvinist view) view)

What might the various What might the various denominations have to do to denominations have to do to

achieve Intercommunion?achieve Intercommunion?


““Catholics must curb the cult of the Catholics must curb the cult of the elements outside the Eucharist (e.g. the elements outside the Eucharist (e.g. the Corpus Christi procession, the Corpus Christi procession, the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament), benediction of the Blessed Sacrament), even though its legitimacy follows from even though its legitimacy follows from Catholics’ present understanding of Catholics’ present understanding of consecration and presence.”consecration and presence.”

Robert W. Jenson, “The Supper”, in Christian Robert W. Jenson, “The Supper”, in Christian Dogmatics, Braaten and Jenson et. al. Fortress Press, Dogmatics, Braaten and Jenson et. al. Fortress Press, 1984 (standard Lutheran theology textbook)1984 (standard Lutheran theology textbook)

IntercommunionIntercommunion ““Lutherans must adopt ceremonially Lutherans must adopt ceremonially

respectful ways of either preserving respectful ways of either preserving remaining elements for the next remaining elements for the next celebration or of finishing them all celebration or of finishing them all within one celebration, even though by within one celebration, even though by Lutheran present understanding of Lutheran present understanding of consecration and presence there is only consecration and presence there is only bread and wine outside the Eucharistic bread and wine outside the Eucharistic action proper.”action proper.”



““And Calvinists must cease to inflict on And Calvinists must cease to inflict on Catholic and Lutheran visitors formulas Catholic and Lutheran visitors formulas of thanksgiving and distribution that of thanksgiving and distribution that suggest the absence of Christ’s body, suggest the absence of Christ’s body, even though these may be the fullest even though these may be the fullest liturgical formulas for what Calvinists liturgical formulas for what Calvinists now think to be the case.”now think to be the case.”



Second major barrier to intercommunion: Second major barrier to intercommunion: differing attitudes to the differing attitudes to the EucharistEucharist and and unityunity:: Sharing the Eucharist is a Sharing the Eucharist is a signsign of unity ( of unity (Catholics Catholics

and Orthodoxand Orthodox)) Sharing the Eucharist is a Sharing the Eucharist is a meansmeans of unity of unity

((Anglicans and ProtestantsAnglicans and Protestants))

Conclusion:Conclusion:The EucharistThe Eucharist

Conclusion: The EucharistConclusion: The Eucharist

The basis of the sacraments is a respect for The basis of the sacraments is a respect for matter as:matter as: A creation of God: “fearfully and wonderfully A creation of God: “fearfully and wonderfully

made”made” A reality God has used in the unfolding of God’s A reality God has used in the unfolding of God’s

creationcreation

Conclusion: The EucharistConclusion: The Eucharistde Chardin’s Hymn to Matterde Chardin’s Hymn to Matter

““I bless you, matter, and you I acclaim; not as the I bless you, matter, and you I acclaim; not as the pontiffs of science or the moralizing preachers pontiffs of science or the moralizing preachers depict you, debased, disfigured, a mass of brute depict you, debased, disfigured, a mass of brute forces and brute appetites, but as you reveal forces and brute appetites, but as you reveal yourself to me today, in your totality and your true yourself to me today, in your totality and your true nature. I acclaim you as the inexhaustible nature. I acclaim you as the inexhaustible potentiality for existence and transformation. I potentiality for existence and transformation. I acclaim you as the universal power which brings acclaim you as the universal power which brings together and unites. I acclaim you as the melodious together and unites. I acclaim you as the melodious fountain of water from which spring the souls of fountain of water from which spring the souls of men. I acclaim you as the divine men. I acclaim you as the divine milieumilieu, charged with , charged with creative power, as the ocean stirred by the Spirit, as creative power, as the ocean stirred by the Spirit, as the clay molded and infused by the incarnate Word.”the clay molded and infused by the incarnate Word.”

- Teilhard de Chardin- Teilhard de Chardin


It is the material world as described and celebrated in It is the material world as described and celebrated in de Chardin’s hymn,de Chardin’s hymn,

a world charged with divine glory,a world charged with divine glory, that makes it conceivable that bread could become: that makes it conceivable that bread could become:

a shrine of the presence of Jesus Christ,a shrine of the presence of Jesus Christ, the bread of God for us, which comes down from the bread of God for us, which comes down from

heaven to give life to the worldheaven to give life to the world (however we explain the reality of that presence: (however we explain the reality of that presence:

transubstantiation, consubstantiation, transubstantiation, consubstantiation, transignification, transfinalization …)transignification, transfinalization …)


George Macleod, a Scottish Churchman, George Macleod, a Scottish Churchman, watched ships from the Americas bringing watched ships from the Americas bringing wheat into Liverpool harbor, and found it wheat into Liverpool harbor, and found it profound to reflect that each of the grains of profound to reflect that each of the grains of wheat had the potential to become the body of wheat had the potential to become the body of ChristChrist

Primary ReferencePrimary Reference

A Guide to the SacramentsA Guide to the Sacraments, John , John Macquarrie, Chapter 14. Continuum Macquarrie, Chapter 14. Continuum Publishing, New York, 1997Publishing, New York, 1997

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The Eucharist 5 The Practice of Reservation. Barriers to Intercommunion. Conclusion: The Eucharist.

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