This document discusses the Catholic celebration of the Eucharist, also known as Communion. It explains that the Eucharist celebrates Christ's presence among us through the sharing of bread and wine that are consecrated as Jesus' body and blood. Receiving the Eucharist represents the fullness of Christian initiation by uniting people with Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The Eucharist is central to the Catholic faith as it commemorates Jesus' love for humanity by giving himself up for us and continues to nourish believers.

1. CELEBRATING CHRIST’S PRESENCE
IN OUR MIDST

9.  Why do you enjoy it so much?

10.  Who was there to share in this
meal?

11.  The Eucharist celebrates the ultimate sign of Christ’s
presence in our midst
 The sharing of bread and wine, consecrated as Jesus
own body and blood
 Offered by Jesus out of love for the whole world

12.  Receiving the Eucharist for the first time represents
the fullness of Christian initiation by uniting the
person with the mystery of Jesus
 Frequently celebrating the Eucharist becomes a way
for Catholics to deepen their lifelong initiation into
Christ’s life, death, and Resurrection
 This sacrament is central to our faith

13.  Christ’s love for us….by giving himself up for
us….continuing to nourish us
“then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and
gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be
given for you; do this in memory of me.“
Luke 22:19

14.  Jesus placed the meaning of his life and
death in the context of an ancient, deeply
human action…the sharing of a meal.
 Important meal….the Passover Seder…which
celebrates God freeing his people from
Egypt…
 Celebrating for us the liberation…freedom
from sin and death…transforming its
meaning

15.  Thanksgiving
 God’s banquet
 Banquets are used throughout the gospels to describe
the Kingdom of God
 Jesus often shared meals with tax
collectors, prostitutes and other outcast

16. Read pages 175-187 and please
do the for reviews on page 187
online.