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1550 BCE
The Story of Passover
Christian thinking about the Eucharist begins with the Israelite people, and their “passing over” from slavery to freedom. The story of the Israelites, of their slavery in Egypt and of their journey to freedom, back to the land that God had promised them, is familiar to all Christians. -
1 CE
The Eucharist and Passover
The Last Supper that Jesus Christ shared with his disciples as a Passover meal. Within the meal, as he broke the matzot (the unleavened bread) and said the traditional prayers, and passed the bread around, Jesus added the words. This is my body, which will be given up for you. As he passed around the cup of wine with the traditional Passover prayers, Jesus added the words. This is my blood, which will be poured out for you. Do this in memory of me. Jesus is the new Passover lamb. -
26
The Eucharist in early churches
Early Christians celebrated the breaking of the bread in response to the command of Jesus at the Last Supper “Do this in memory of me”.
The memory of Jesus was kept alive through reading and telling stories, praying and celebrating the Eucharist. These actions encouraged the hope of the early Christians that Jesus would come again. -
476
The Eucharist in the middle ages
Gradually, many ordinary people became more like spectators than participants in the Eucharist. Some were awe-struck, even fearful, of the Eucharist, feeling unworthy to receive it. Many Catholics stopped receiving the sacrament frequently, and would limit their reception of Eucharist to special feasts. Children did not receive the Eucharist until they were twelve or fourteen years old, Some did not receive Communion unless they had gone to confession on the same day. -
The Eucharist today
The Eucharist today has four parts to the celebration which include:
The first part of the celebration draws the gathered people together, helps them to prepare and provides a formal beginning to what will follow