Session 4 of Lenten “Instructed Eucharist” 2024
The rubrics—instructions in italics, not intended to be read out loud, pay attention to the ‘may’s’ and the absence of the ‘may’s’
Offertory Sentences (p. 333, 343) The Preparation of the Table and the Presentation of the Offerings (p. 333) Offertory Hymn or Anthem
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer I
Jesus at the Last Supper, the passover meal shared the day before his crucifixion
The practice of the early Christians, day of the resurrection, early in the morning, survivors of persecution gathered, house churches
‘Eucharist’ means ‘thanksgiving’ from the Greek word ‘eukharistos’, which is two words ‘eu’ meaning ‘well’, and ‘kharizesthai’ meaning ‘grace’
Sursum Corda (p.333)—the opening dialogue of the eucharistic prayer between the priest and the congregation, it includes a greeting and bidding to stand, invitation to give thanks to God, the affirmation of the people to proceed
The form is similar to a Jewish form of blessing
Proper Preface, prayed only by the priest (p. 344-349)—for the season or holy day, it summarizes the purpose of the season or day being celebrated
Sanctus (p. 334) —we praise God saying or singing
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
(what the seraphs were singing from Isaiah 6:3, the call of Isaiah)
And Benedictus qui venit
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
(what the people shouted as Jesus came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday from Matthew 21:9)
Eucharistic Prayer (prayed verbally by priest alone, devotional aspect of praying silently
with the priest)
Parts of eucharistic prayer 1, Rite 1
Recalling of the acts of God in Jesus, anamnesis (p.334 and latter part of paragraph 2 on p.334)
The institution narrative (bottom of p. 334-top of p.335) is drawn almost word for word from Luke 22:19-20
“Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
and Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians 11:23-25
“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Jesus follows the pattern for the Jewish sacrifice, and it was the experience of early Jewish Christians at sacred meals
Take the offering, bless it, break it, and share it
Oblation/the offering to God (p.335, 1st part of 2nd whole paragraph) offering of the congregation together
Calling down of the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into Jesus’ body and blood, epiclesis/consecration (p. 335, 3rd whole paragraph)
RC—transubstantiation—the bread and wine is physically changed into the body and blood
Lutherans—the bread and wine co-exists with the body and blood
Memorialism —the bread and wine represents the body and blood, but is not changed
Receptionism—it becomes the body and blood when received by a believer
Supplications (bottom of p. 335)
Self-oblation (top of p. 336) more personal offering
More supplications (p. 336, 2nd full paragraph)
Doxology, trinitarian conclusion to the prayer and the Great Amen. High point of the service. Christ’s elevated body and blood about to be received.