What does the eucharist mean to christians?

Answer 1

The Eucharist is the Institution established by Jesus Christ on the night of the Last Supper. On that night he takes the unleavened bread and the cup of wine and turns them into his Body and Blood, and gives the command and the power to do so to his Apostles, so that He can remain with them always and develop a closer relationship with us. This is called transubstaniation - the changing of the substance, bread, into the Body of the Lord, while still retaining the properties of bread, such as the look, texture, smell, and taste.

This is preluded by the discourse in John 6, where Jesus invites all to "eat of his body" and "drink of his blood." The Jews to whom he was preaching believed that he meant to literally eat his flesh - which is true. He did mean for us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Most Protestants and others deny this, saying that Jesus meant this symbolically, that in order for us to have eternal life, we must believe in him. We do need to have faith in Jesus to attain life in Heaven - but there's more to it.

The manna eaten by the Israelites in the desert is a foreshadowing of the Eucharist - which is Jesus, the Heavenly Bread. The manna was literally "bread from Heaven," sent by God to the starving Israelites. But the Israelites again grew hungry and eventually died of old age, sickness, etc. If the manna is a foreshadowing of the Eucharist and is "bread from Heaven," that means the Eucharist must be something more than bread sent from Heaven for the nourishment of the body. If one takes the Protestant view that the Eucharist is merely a symbol, that it is man-made bread symbolizing faith in Jesus, then it is less than the manna, which came directly from Heaven. However, if one accepts that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the form of man-made bread, then the manna signifies something much greater - actually God HIMSELF coming down to nourish our souls.

If you are interested in learning more about the Eucharist - the Body and Blood of our Savior, see your local Catholic Church and ask to talk to the priest.

Answer 2

Eucharist is one of the sacraments of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. It consists of celebrating communion: host, or wafer, a type of bread, is believed to turn into the body of Christ, and wine is believed to turn into blood of Christ. The bread and wine are offered to the congregation.

A correction Actually, also Protestants use this term, and most of Protestant denominations see the eucharist as a sacrament. Protestants may use the word "communion" as a synonym, but Catholics may use that word when speaking merely about the bread and wine.

Answer2: A key moment of the ceremony comes during the Eucharistic prayer. At that point, according to Catechism of the Catholic Church, "the power of the words and the action of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit" make Jesus' body and blood "sacramentally present." The priest, after partaking of the bread and wine, invites the faithful to receive Communion, usually by eating only the bread, or the Host. The Catholic Church teaches that the bread and wine are miraculously transformed into the literal body and blood of Christ-a doctrine called transubstantiation. At any rate, Jesus could not have meant that his followers were literally to eat his flesh and drink his blood. After the flood of Noah's day God gave permission to eat the flesh of animals, he directly forbade man to consume blood. (Genesis 9:3,4) The apostles were inspired by holy spirit to renew the command against consuming blood, making the law binding upon all Christians. (Acts 15:20,29) This teaching arose gradually, with the word first being defined and used officially in the 13th century. The word "Eucharist" is derived from the Greek eu*kha*ri*sti'a, which means gratitude, thankfulness, or Thanksgiving. (see Jehovah's Witnesses official website 4/1/08 Watchtower p.29)

Answer 3

It's the Body and Blood of Christ, which God sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins, the life of the world, to establish the New Covenant, and Christ's Church upon earth.

From the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22:

19 Then [Jesus] 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."20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."

Answer 4

The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is actually a miracle. During Mass the priest consecrates normal bread and wine in what is called transubstantiation and they become the true body and blood of Jesus Christ. Many doubt that it is truly the body and blood of Jesus because it looks and tastes the same but several Eucharistic miracles such as, Lanciano, in Amsterdam, and Guadalupe.

Answer 5

Jesus is present in the Eucharist under the appearances of bread and wine.

Answer 6

It comes from the word eukharistía meaning gratitude or giving of thanks

Answer 7

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Answer 8

It's the body of Christ.