Theology III Eucharist Test

What are the scriptural references to the Eucharist?

The Manna and the Bread of Life (God leads the Israelites to freedom and gives them bread from Heaven), the Israelites eating unleavened bread in Exodus and celebrating with it during Passover, the Feeding of the Five Thousand in each of the Gospels, the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6, and the Last Supper.

Explain at least one Old Testament reference to the Eucharist

The Feeding of the Five Thousand, where Jesus took one loaf of bread and broke it and gave it to His disciples to feed the others.

What is the Church's understanding of the Eucharist?

Based off of the signs of bread and wine, the institution of the Eucharist, Jesus commanding "do this is memory of Me," giving thanksgiving and praise to the Father, sacrificial memorial of Christ, and the sacrifice and memorial of the Church.

Explain the signs of bread and wine?

Bread was important throughout the Old Testament and was seen in stories in Exodus like the unleavened bread that was taken by Jews when fleeing Egypt and when God sent manna down to them. Wine was drunk in anticipation of the Messiah and was seen in the New Testament at the Wedding of Cana, which prefigured the Eucharist. Because of the bread and wine's importance (Jesus only used these items), the Eucharist needs to be actual bread and wine.

The institution of the Eucharist - Jesus instituted the Eucharist as the sign of His love and instituted it during Passover (At Passover, the lamb was sacrificed and eaten, at the New Passover, the New Lamb is sacrificed and eaten). This means we share in the New Passover every time we receive the Eucharist.

Explain Jesus commanding "do this in memory of Me"?

Jesus tells us to do this, and when the Church fulfills this, the "memory" becomes a "living memory," which means that the Last Supper is actually present during the prayers of concentration. The Last Supper becomes the First Supper and we participate in and proclaim the Paschal Mystery every time we celebrate the Eucharist.

Explain giving thanksgiving and praise to the Father?

The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise for what Jesus did and all of creation. In the Eucharist, we thank God for all that is good, especially Jesus. We are united to Jesus' praise of the Father and His intercession for us.

Explain sacrificial memorial of Christ?

The liturgy makes the Paschal Mystery present. The same Body and Blood from Jesus when He was on the Cross is given to us in the Eucharist, so therefore we participate in the sacrifice. Our prayers, works, joys, sufferings, etc. are given spiritual power.

Explain the sacrifice and memorial of the Church?

The liturgy is celebrated in union with the Pope and all of the Bishops around the world, and every Eucharist brings us into communion with everyone else in the Church (Heaven and Earth). The Eucharist is offered to all of those who have died and Christ offers himself to the Father, which means that our whole lives become an offering since everyone is the Body of Christ and is offered with Him.

What are the different names for the Eucharist?

Blessing, Lord's Supper, The Breaking of the Bread, The Eucharistic Assembly, The Holy Sacrifice, The Holy and Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion, Holy Mass, Sacred Mysteries, Most Blessed Sacrament, Bread of Angels, Bread from Heaven, Medicine of Immortality, the Holy Things Viaticum (called this at death)

Where does the word church comes from?

Kirke, comes from German translation of Ekklesia

What was the start of Christian worship?

First Christians still worshipped in the Temple, but eventually moved into houses when more Gentiles joined the faith. They read scripture, worshiped, and "broke bread."

What is the general order of the liturgy?

The "Gathering of the Assembly," Introductory Rites, Collect, Liturgy of the Word, First reading, Responsorial song, Second reading, Gospel, Homily, Profession of faith, The prayer of the faithful, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Presentation and preparation of gifts, The preface and Acclamation, Epiclesis, The Institution and Narrative, Consecration, Anamnesis, The Amen, The Communion Rite

When do certain parts of the liturgy happen within Mass?

The Liturgy of the Word is when they read the Gospel and the Liturgy of the Eucharist is when they deal with the Eucharist

How does the sacrament of the Eucharist work?

It transforms from Bread and Wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus through transubstantiation.

When does the Eucharist actually takes place?

During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, specifically the Institution Narrative and Consecration, during Transubstantiation.

What are the essential words of the Eucharist?

"This is my Body... This is the chalice of my Blood..."

The roles of different kinds of people (particularly at Mass) - Pope

Sign of unity at every Mass

The roles of different kinds of people (particularly at Mass) - Bishop

Spiritually present at every Mass

The roles of different kinds of people (particularly at Mass) - Priest

Extension of the bishop, unites us to Jesus through Eucharist, leads prayers and sacraments, stands at head of people, reads the Word

The roles of different kinds of people (particularly at Mass) - Deacon

Helps bishops and priests, read the Gospel, preach the homily, do prayer of the faithful, do other "minor" things that Priest does

The roles of different kinds of people (particularly at Mass) - Laity

Can be altar servers (helps the priest), lectors (reads the first or second reading, called to understand scripture and be holy themselves), and/or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (help priest and deacon distribute Blessed Sacrament, can bring the Eucharist to homebound in a pyx)

What are the effects of the Eucharist?

Our bond with Christ is strengthened, our venial sins are forgiven, we are protected from mortal sin (love is enkindled in us, which helps us love God and our neighbor, making it harder to sin), commitment to the poor is strengthened

Miscellaneous information about the Eucharist?

All Catholics must receive the Eucharist at least once a year after 1st time, and try and get it done in the Easter Season. The Viaticum is the Eucharist before death and is considered to be the "Seed of eternal life." You can receive Eucharist twice a day (if you already received once, you can receive a second time in Mass). Ecumenism is the fact that Eastern Churches not fully united to the Catholic Church still have valid Eucharist because they have a valid apostolic succession and it helps us unite with them spiritually (point of agreement, helpful in conversations about unity). The Eucharist preserves, increases, and renews the grace received at Baptism. In receiving, we also pray that we can give of ourselves like Christ gave Himself for us