The Sacrament of the Eucharist

In recent decades there has been a rise in ecumenism between the Christian churches. Transubstantiation, once a key cause of division, is “now generally a matter of indifference” which is even accepted by some evangelicals. Misunderstanding of the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist, argument about its meaning and pockets of bigotry nevertheless remain. This paper argues that the Eucharist, is an incredible gift which should never be a matter of indifference. It argues that understanding it requires an appreciation of the Catholic approach to church, scripture and tradition. It begins by explaining the reality of the sacramental economy and the concept of sacrament, memorial, sign and symbol, matter and form. It then examines the history and theology of the Eucharist. In so doing the paper places special emphasis on correcting misconceptions as to the biblical foundations of the Eucharist and transubstantiation in particular. The paper then briefly consider the history and theology of the liturgy of the Eucharist again emphasizing the biblical foundations of the Catholic liturgy and of the understanding of the Eucharist in that faith tradition. The paper then describes the current form of the Catholic mass and looks in more detail at the signs, symbols, matter and form of the sacrament. It considers the Eucharist as a memorial and looks at its place in the sacramental economy and in ecclesiology. The paper concludes with a personal description of the reality of the sacrament as experienced by the author.