The Eucharist 3The Eucharist 3
The Eucharist as The Eucharist as the Presence of the Presence of
ChristChrist
IntroductionIntroductionThe Last SupperThe Last Supper
… …the Lord Jesus on the night when he was the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, had given thanks, he broke it and said,
‘ ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’remembrance of me.’
In the same way he took the cup also, after In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying supper, saying
‘ ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’of me.’
For as often as you eat this bread and drink For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NRSV) (1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NRSV)
IntroductionIntroductionFour AccountsFour Accounts
Four accounts of the words of institution Four accounts of the words of institution (earliest to latest):(earliest to latest): Paul:Paul: 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 MarkMark (20 yrs. after Paul): Mark 14:22-25 (20 yrs. after Paul): Mark 14:22-25 MatthewMatthew (20+ yrs. After Mark): Matt. 26:26-29 (20+ yrs. After Mark): Matt. 26:26-29 LukeLuke (20+ yrs. After Mark): Luke 22:14-20 (20+ yrs. After Mark): Luke 22:14-20
IntroductionIntroductionFour AccountsFour Accounts
Words over the bread:Words over the bread: All four agree All four agree “This is my body”“This is my body” only Matthew has an explicit command to eatonly Matthew has an explicit command to eat
Words over the wineWords over the wine Mark and Matthew: Mark and Matthew: “this is my blood of the “this is my blood of the
covenant”covenant” Paul and Luke: Paul and Luke: “this cup is the new covenant “this cup is the new covenant
in my blood.”in my blood.” More likely the original languageMore likely the original language
IntroductionIntroductionJohn’s Eucharistic TheologyJohn’s Eucharistic Theology
“ “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.so that one may eat of it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”eat?”
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. blood abide in me, and I in them.
Just as the living Father sent me, and I live Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:48-58 (John 6:48-58 NRSV)NRSV)
So Jesus said to them, So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
IntroductionIntroductionQuestionsQuestions
““This is my body,” “This is my blood,” This is my body,” “This is my blood,” “Those who eat my flesh and drink my “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them”blood abide in me and I in them”
What do such statements mean?What do such statements mean? We aren’t cannibals. It’s not “literally” what we We aren’t cannibals. It’s not “literally” what we
are doingare doing It’s not purely “symbolic.” Christ is “present” in It’s not purely “symbolic.” Christ is “present” in
some “real” waysome “real” way
IntroductionIntroductionQuestionsQuestions
The Eucharist as a The Eucharist as a sacramentsacrament involves: involves: an an “outward, visible sign”“outward, visible sign”
Matter:Matter: bread and wine bread and wine Form:Form: broken, poured, eaten, drunk broken, poured, eaten, drunk
that is a “door,” a “window” tothat is a “door,” a “window” to an an “inward and spiritual grace” (“inward and spiritual grace” (resres)) = the = the
presence of Christ within uspresence of Christ within us In the Eucharist, we affirm the Christ is also In the Eucharist, we affirm the Christ is also
“really present” in the“really present” in the matter matter of theof the “outward, visible sign”“outward, visible sign”. But “really present” . But “really present” how?how?
Views in the Early ChurchViews in the Early ChurchCyril of Jerusalem, 350 ADCyril of Jerusalem, 350 AD
[Jesus Christ] by his own will once changed [Jesus Christ] by his own will once changed water into wine at Cana in Galilee. So why water into wine at Cana in Galilee. So why should we not believe that he can change should we not believe that he can change wine into blood?. . .wine into blood?. . .
We should therefore have full assurance that We should therefore have full assurance that we are sharing in the body and blood of we are sharing in the body and blood of Christ. For in the type of bread, his body is Christ. For in the type of bread, his body is given to you, and in the type of wine, his given to you, and in the type of wine, his blood is given to you, so that by partaking of blood is given to you, so that by partaking of the body and blood of Christ you may the body and blood of Christ you may become of one body and one blood with him.become of one body and one blood with him.
From Catechetical Lectures given to those preparing for BaptismFrom Catechetical Lectures given to those preparing for Baptism
Views in the Early ChurchViews in the Early ChurchAugustine, 354-430 ADAugustine, 354-430 AD
That which you see is bread and the That which you see is bread and the cup, which even your eyes declare to cup, which even your eyes declare to you; but as to that in which your faith you; but as to that in which your faith demands instruction, the bread is the demands instruction, the bread is the body of Christ, the cup is the blood of body of Christ, the cup is the blood of Christ…Christ…
… … these things are called sacraments these things are called sacraments for this reason, that in them one thing for this reason, that in them one thing is seen, another thing is understood.”is seen, another thing is understood.”
Sermon, 272Sermon, 272
Views in the Early ChurchViews in the Early ChurchJohn of Damascus, 665-749 ADJohn of Damascus, 665-749 AD
And now you ask how the bread And now you ask how the bread becomes the body of Christ, and the becomes the body of Christ, and the wine and the water become the blood wine and the water become the blood of Christ. I shall tell you. The Holy Spirit of Christ. I shall tell you. The Holy Spirit comes upon them, and achieves things comes upon them, and achieves things which surpass every word and which surpass every word and thought…thought…
Let it be enough for you to understand Let it be enough for you to understand that this takes place by the Holy Spirit.that this takes place by the Holy Spirit.
When we affirm the “real When we affirm the “real presence” of Jesus in the presence” of Jesus in the
bread and wine, bread and wine, what do we mean bywhat do we mean by
“presence”“presence”andand
“real”?“real”?
““Presence”Presence”
Local PresenceLocal Presence Presence in a particular placePresence in a particular place
Temporal PresenceTemporal Presence Presence at a particular time or momentPresence at a particular time or moment
Personal PresencePersonal Presence A presence in which a communication takes place A presence in which a communication takes place
between two personsbetween two persons Does not necessarily require a meeting in time and Does not necessarily require a meeting in time and
spacespace
““Presence”Presence” The multiple presence of Christ in the The multiple presence of Christ in the
Eucharist:Eucharist: There is a gospel reading, so There is a gospel reading, so Christ is present in Christ is present in
the Wordthe Word Christ is the true presiding minister, so Christ is the true presiding minister, so Christ is Christ is
present in the human ministerpresent in the human minister who stands in for who stands in for himhim
Eucharistic community is made one body with Eucharistic community is made one body with Christ, so Christ, so Christ is present in the communityChrist is present in the community
After the words of institution, After the words of institution, Christ is present in Christ is present in the bread and winethe bread and wine
““Presence”Presence” Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is a personal Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is a personal
presence which may be presence which may be focusedfocused in the bread and wine in the bread and wine but is but is notnot localized to the bread and wine localized to the bread and wine
““On any natural reading of the words ‘This is On any natural reading of the words ‘This is my body’ or ‘This is my blood’, the my body’ or ‘This is my blood’, the demonstrative pronoun must be taken as demonstrative pronoun must be taken as referring to the bread and wine. We must not, referring to the bread and wine. We must not, however, wrench the focus out of its context. however, wrench the focus out of its context. The bread and wine are not to be taken out of The bread and wine are not to be taken out of the human, personal situation in which they the human, personal situation in which they have their being as the body and blood of have their being as the body and blood of Christ.”Christ.” (Macquarrie, p. 127) (Macquarrie, p. 127)
““Real”Real”
Physical RealityPhysical Reality A thing is what it is because of its atomic and A thing is what it is because of its atomic and
molecular structuremolecular structure No one claims that the molecular structure of bread No one claims that the molecular structure of bread
and wine are changed to the molecular structure of and wine are changed to the molecular structure of flesh and bloodflesh and blood
Jesus is not “really present” in the sense of Jesus is not “really present” in the sense of “physically really” “present”“physically really” “present”
““Real”Real”
Non-physical Reality = “Metaphysical” Non-physical Reality = “Metaphysical” RealityReality The “World of Ideas”The “World of Ideas” LoveLove ““Good” and “Evil”Good” and “Evil” MathematicsMathematics Meaning, PurposeMeaning, Purpose
Real PresenceReal PresenceTheologies of the Real PresenceTheologies of the Real Presence
TransubstantiationTransubstantiation ConsubstantiationConsubstantiation TransignificationTransignification and and TransfinalizationTransfinalization
Real PresenceReal PresenceTransubstantiationTransubstantiation
Thomas Aquinas, 1224-1274Thomas Aquinas, 1224-1274 Based on Aristotle’s view of reality: all matter Based on Aristotle’s view of reality: all matter
has two qualities:has two qualities: 1. 1. accidents:accidents: its outward appearance, color, shape its outward appearance, color, shape 2. 2. substance:substance: its essential nature. its essential nature.
A horse is a horse because it partakes of the A horse is a horse because it partakes of the substancesubstance of “horseness”of “horseness”
A chair is a chair because it partakes of the A chair is a chair because it partakes of the substancesubstance of of “chairness”“chairness”
Bread is bread because it partakes of the Bread is bread because it partakes of the substancesubstance of of “breadness”“breadness”
““Horseness”, “chairness,” “breadness” are metaphysical Horseness”, “chairness,” “breadness” are metaphysical realitiesrealities
Real PresenceReal PresenceTransubstantiationTransubstantiation
At the moment of consecration of the bread At the moment of consecration of the bread and wine, a miracle occurs:and wine, a miracle occurs: The The substancesubstance of the bread is changed to the of the bread is changed to the
substancesubstance of the body of Christ of the body of Christ The The accidentsaccidents of the bread remain unchanged of the bread remain unchanged
The The substancesubstance of the wine is changed to the of the wine is changed to the substancesubstance of the blood of Christ of the blood of Christ
The The accidentsaccidents of the wine remain unchanged of the wine remain unchanged
Real PresenceReal PresenceConsubstantiationConsubstantiation
Luther’s view:Luther’s view: The The substancesubstance of of bothboth bread and the body of bread and the body of
Christ are present Christ are present togethertogether in the bread (Christ is in the bread (Christ is present “in, with, and under” the bread)present “in, with, and under” the bread)
The The accidentsaccidents of the bread remain unchanged of the bread remain unchanged How the How the substancesubstance of both bread and the body of of both bread and the body of
Christ can be together is a mystery. Analogy (from Christ can be together is a mystery. Analogy (from Origen, 185-254)Origen, 185-254)
A piece of iron placed in a fire begins to glowA piece of iron placed in a fire begins to glow In that glowing iron, both In that glowing iron, both iron iron and and heatheat are present are present
togethertogether
Real PresenceReal PresenceTranssignification, TransfinalizationTranssignification, Transfinalization
Edward Schillebeeckx, 1960’sEdward Schillebeeckx, 1960’s Based on the view of reality that the identity of Based on the view of reality that the identity of
a thing is based on:a thing is based on: Its Its atomic atomic andand molecular structure molecular structure Its Its meaningmeaning or or significancesignificance within the context in within the context in
which it is usedwhich it is used Its Its purposepurpose or or end goalend goal (“finality”) within the (“finality”) within the
context in which it is usedcontext in which it is used Meaning / significanceMeaning / significance, , purpose /end goalpurpose /end goal of of
a thing have a metaphysical realitya thing have a metaphysical reality
Real PresenceReal PresenceTranssignification, TransfinalizationTranssignification, Transfinalization
At the moment of consecration of the bread At the moment of consecration of the bread and wine, a miracle occurs:and wine, a miracle occurs: The The meaning / significancemeaning / significance of the bread and wine of the bread and wine
changes. They no longer changes. They no longer mean / signifymean / signify foodfood, but , but they they mean / signifymean / signify ChristChrist
The The end goal (“finality”) / purposeend goal (“finality”) / purpose of bread and of bread and wine changes. The wine changes. The end goal / purposeend goal / purpose of of physical physical nourishmentnourishment is replaced by the is replaced by the end goal / end goal / purposepurpose of of spiritual nourishmentspiritual nourishment
A Last WordA Last WordJohn of Damascus, 665-749 ADJohn of Damascus, 665-749 AD
And now you ask how the bread And now you ask how the bread becomes the body of Christ, and the becomes the body of Christ, and the wine and the water become the blood wine and the water become the blood of Christ. I shall tell you. The Holy Spirit of Christ. I shall tell you. The Holy Spirit comes upon them, and achieves things comes upon them, and achieves things which surpass every word and which surpass every word and thought…thought…
Let it be enough for you to understand Let it be enough for you to understand that this takes place by the Holy Spirit.that this takes place by the Holy Spirit.
ReferencesReferences
A Guide to the SacramentsA Guide to the Sacraments, John , John Macquarrie, Chapters 12. Continuum Macquarrie, Chapters 12. Continuum Publishing, New York, 1997Publishing, New York, 1997
Christian Theology, An Introduction, Third Christian Theology, An Introduction, Third Edition.Edition. Chapter 16, “The Doctrine of the Chapter 16, “The Doctrine of the Sacraments,” Alister E. McGrath, Blackwell Sacraments,” Alister E. McGrath, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford, 2001.Publishers, Oxford, 2001.
