The word Eucharist is Greek for ‘thanksgiving’

The Eucharist can also be known as Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, Holy Liturgy, Mass – each from different parts of the church and different times in history

Origin of Christian Eucharist lies in the Jewish Passover (see Exodus 12) so it is a liberation meal centred around a lamb, bread, wine, rituals of the table

Jesus’ own upbringing would have centred on this, as would the early followers of ‘the Way’

All 4 gospels record a meal the night before Jesus dies. It was either the first evening of Passover, or it was about the time of Passover (day of Preparation) – whichever, the meal is full of Passover ‘overtones’

Jesus says distinctive words about the bread and the wine of this meal – This is my body…this is my blood… do this in remembrance of me

These words may have seemed odd at the time but would soon be understood in the light of Good Friday and Easter day

First Christians saw Jesus death as the sacrifice to end all sacrifices – he becomes the Paschal (Passover) Lamb. No further sacrifices are required – we read a lot about this in the Letter to the Hebrews.

Paul in 1 Cor 10 and 11 makes first historical record of the ‘words of institution’

Later the event is recorded in the gospel accounts of Jesus life (note that John’s Gospel does not include it), but rather ‘I am the bread of Life’ in John 6, and ‘I am the true vine’ in John 15.

So early evidence that the Eucharist is part and parcel of the early experience and practice of the Christian communities

Luke 24 –Supper at Emmaus – makes an oblique reference tot eh experience fo the risen Jesus when the bread is broken.

So down through the ages – in simple and very elaborate form the Eucharist has continued

16th century Reformation in Europe – the Mass was translated into English. First English Prayer Book by Thomas Cranmer in 1549. His second version in 1552. This form was retained more or less until approved finally by parliament in 1662 to be used throughout the Church of England

Let’s look at the 1662 prayer book

This was retained until it started to be inadequate for the Evangelical Revival in 19th Century and Oxford Movement

Further pressure from the chaplains in the trenches during WWI – book not flexible or pastoral enough

Attempt in 1928 to get a new Prayer Book through Parliament. This failed. Alternative Service Book (ASB in 1980) for a temporary period until Common Worship in 2000

Standard Contents: Penitence; Scripture; Creed; Intercessions; Eucharistic Prayer; post communion prayers

4 main actions of the Eucharistic Prayer – take, bless, break, share – to reflect the action of Jesus at the Last Supper

The Eucharist should be reflecting the whole of our lives – it cannot exist in a safe little pocket ‘ all things come form you and of your own do we give you’

Our lives, experiences, joys, sorrows, work, money, all gets brought before God in this great Eucharistic action – Body of Christ cannot be just words used of the bread – it is also the description of the whole people of God

What we do in our everyday lives should be shot through with the Eucharistic action we participate in on a Sunday – it is not just an obscure piece of ritual

We finish with a wonderful passage by Dom Gregory Dix (copies attached)