The celebration of the Eucharist in the New Testament writings and today

Abstract

The Eucharist has been a focal point of Christian faith throughout history. As from its very early stages, the Eucharist was the pivot of the life of the Church. In fact, starting from the New Testament up to Vatican Council II, the Eucharist has been adorned as the bread of life, and therefore as the most necessary requirement for living a good and holy life. In the Gospels we find a description of the institution of the Eucharist, and as early as the Letters of St. Paul we have teachings as to the meaning and purpose of the Eucharist that time. It was already considered as a communal meal and a loving deed. Throughout the centuries theologians have discussed the meaning of the Eucharistic mystery, I) evaluating whether the bread and the wine were symbols, or 2) whether the Body and Blood of Christ lay intrinsically in them. 3) Another aspect which has been debated is whether the Eucharist is the Sacrifice of Christ to the Church only, or 4) whether the Church, in its Eucharistic celebrations was offering its sacrifice in the Body and Blood of Christ. The celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and its development throughout times will show the beliefs of the church as it developed from small Assemblies which met in homes, to the Church communities we have today.