EIGHT DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE DIVINE EUCHARIST

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

EIGHT DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE DIVINE EUCHARIST

5) The Divine Eucharist is not only a memorial of the Mystical (Last) Supper but also A COMMEMORATION OF THE LORD’S SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS: “This is My Body which is BROKEN for you… This is My Blood which is POURED OUT for you…” This is sacrificial language. Christ was the SACRIFICIAL VICTIM, “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world” [John 1:29], the “Lamb led to the slaughter” [Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32]. We were RANSOMED with His blood (1 Peter 1:19): “Christ our Pascha was SACRIFICED FOR US” (1 Corinthians 5:7). The EUCHARIST IS THE COMMEMORATION OF THE SACRIFICIAL OFFERING ON THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST TO GOD AND FATHER, IN THE FORM OF BREAD AND WINE, “FOR THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD” (1 John 4:14). In fact, IT IS THE SAME SACRIFICE OFFERED UPON THE CROSS “ONCE FOR ALL” (Hebrews 10:10) {except without the shedding of blood), extended mystically, yet REALLY, through time. The Divine Eucharist is “THE MOST PERFECT SACRIFICE OF PEACE AND THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE POSSIBLE FOR MAN TO OFFER GOD.”

6) Furthermore the Divine Eucharist is COMMUNION by the faithful of the Body and Blood of Our Risen Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord said, “RECEIVE, EAT; THIS IS MY BODY… DRINK OF THIS: THIS IS MY BLOOD…” (Matthew 26:26-27). He also said, “TRULY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS YOU EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YOU HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU; HE WHO EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD HAS ETERNAL LIFE, AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY” (John 6:53-54). We eat His Body and drink His Blood TO HAVE LIFE IN US–His life–and TO BE RAISED TO A RESURRECTION OF ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM. Through Holy Communion Christ ENTERS INTO OUR LIVES AND SANCTIFIES OUR BODIES AND SOULS, WHEN WE RECEIVE HIM IN PURITY: “PURITY OF HEART IN THE FAITHFUL IS A CONDITION FOR THE HOLY COMMUNION.” Through Holy Communion we receive FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS, COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND INHERITANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Holy Communion also UNITES US WITH EACH OTHER: “BECAUSE THERE IS ONE BREAD, WE WHO ARE MANY ARE ONE BODY, FOR WE ALL PARTAKE OF THE ONE BREAD” (1 Corinthians 10:17).

7) In addition, the Divine Eucharist is a CONTINUOUS PENTECOST. Every Divine Liturgy is “A CONTINUATION OF THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST,” because in every Divine Eucharist God the Father is invoked upon to send His Holy Spirit TO COME DOWN AND SANCTIFY THE HOLY GIFTS AND THOSE PRESENT: “SEND DOWN YOUR HOLY SPIRIT UPON US AND UPON THESE GIFTS HERE PRESENTED.” In the EPICLESIS (INVOCATION) the Holy Spirit DESCENDS UPON THE HOLY GIFTS AND UPON THE CHURCH GATHERED, “WITH ONE MIND IN THE SAME PLACE” (omothymadon epi to auto) (Acts 2:1). Christ’s presence IS MYSTICALLY REAL though the Holy Spirit, by the goodwill of the Father. THE CONSECRATION IS AN ACT OF THE HOLY TRINITY. THE INVOCATION IS THAT THE GIFTS MAY BE CHANGED INTO THE BODY AND BLOOD OF THE LORD, BUT THE PURPOSE OF THE CHANGE IS THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE COMMUNICANTS (THE FAITHFUL) AND THEIR UNION WITH GOD.

8) Finally, the Divine Eucharist is a JOYOUS, SPIRITUAL MEAL and a FORETASTE OF THE BANQUET OF THE KINGDOM. The Divine Eucharist is a pledge of our salvation an of the establishment of God’s Kingdom and of our participation in THE HEAVENLY BANQUET. After instituting the Divine Eucharist the Lord told His disciples: “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s Kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). The Divine Eucharist is a foretaste of the celebration in heaven and of our participation in the heavenly “marriage feast” (Matthew 22:2). The Divine Eucharist EXPRESSES THE JOYOUS ANTICIPATION OF THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING THE KINGDOM: “AND I SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER” (Psalm 22(23): 6).

The eight themes or aspects or dimensions of the Divine Eucharist outlined here–REAL PRESENCE, LOVE MEMORIAL, THANKSGIVING, REMEMBRANCE, SACRIFICE, CONTINUOUS PENTECOST, COMMUNION, AND SPIRITUAL BANQUET — IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY ARE REALIZED IN THE PRESENT, IN THE LIVES OF THE COMMUNICANTS WHO PARTAKE OF THE GIFTS WORTHILY. They are all lived in the present, but have a direct bearing upon our Eternal Life. All these aspects of the Divine Eucharist are understood on two planes or levels AN EARTHLY ONE AND A HEAVENLY ONE. The Divine Eucharist takes place in the present, but its fruits ARE LIFE EVERLASTING IN GOD’S KINGDOM. “The Church in the Divine Eucharist celebrates and lives not only the ‘actualization of the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, but also foretastes and lives the eschatological (future) Kingdom of the RESURRECTED CHRIST AS AN EXISTING REALITY.” [Resources: The Heavenly Banquet)

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“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
-Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy and Glorious Descent,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George