Jesus' followers are to repeat his actions

June 13, 2004 -- The Body and Blood of Christ

By Fr. Richard Ver Bust

	Fr. Richard Ver Bust

Eucharist means "give thanks" and stresses the action of what Christ did at the Last Supper. We remember the words of the Gospel in which the evangelists tell us that "Jesus took bread, said the blessing" and "then he took the cup, gave thanks." The blessing and giving thanks are similar in meaning.

The oldest New Testament text though is the one found in our second reading taken from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. Paul presents it as being part of the tradition which reaches back to Jesus himself. The words of Paul are closest to Luke's version, but still seem to be independent of it.

Liturgical changes seem to be frequent even in this most special text. The words of Paul also stress Jesus' self-giving and the command twice repeated that those who follow him are to repeat his actions.

The sense of tradition is emphasized by the careful wording Paul uses.

"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus..." If the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians was written about the year 56 A.D. and he is referring to the time when he was with them in Corinth in 51 A.D., then we can see how close we are to the event itself. The main theme though is the context in which Paul gives us this tradition. The Eucharist was at this time celebrated within the context of a communal meal.

One of the problems Paul faced, as the Letter to the Corinthians testifies to, is the divisions within that church. It would seem from Paul's own account that the meetings for the meal and Eucharist are "doing more harm than good." (v.17) These divisions in the community resulted in many difficulties for that church. Each it seems went to the supper but some remained hungry and some even got drunk. Paul contemptuously criticizes them for this behavior and says that it brings dishonor to the church.

So Paul recalled the tradition that he had given to them of the Last Supper. The church at Corinth certainly must have been repeating these words whenever they met for Eucharist. The sad thing, Paul is saying, is that they remember the words but do not understand their meaning. Their actions deny their understanding. What Jesus did in giving thanks and in witnessing to God's will by his death is not expressed within the life of the church.

If the Eucharist is to express truly the communal nature of the meal they celebrate, then in real life they must live their commitment to community.

Christ showed his love for us and all by giving up his life. They must show their love for one another. Their actions are signs of selfishness. They deny what they say they are. This is Paul's familiar pattern of teaching.

Paul presents not just a moral injunction. He first by his teaching shows the basis for their life. He presents a vision of who they are and then shows how they must live in order to fulfill that vision.

(The late Fr. Ver Bust directed the master's program in theology at St. Norbert College, De Pere.)