Eucharist as Symbol, cont.

 

     The Eucharist is a symbol, but a truly unique symbol, because it is what it signifies - the Body and Blood of Christ. Jesus chose bread and wine as the material for this Blessed Sacrament. What do these elements symbolize? Last week I pointed out two things symbolized by the unleavened bread used for the Eucharist - “one loaf from many grains” and “the bread of affliction.” This week I want to take a look at what the Eucharistic wine points to.

     Like bread, wine is a symbol of “one from many.” Many grapes are crushed to make the juice which ferments to become one cup of wine. Just so, by the Eucharist we, though many, become one by participating in the sacrament. And yes, our individuality must be “squeezed” out of us by God for that to
happen.
 

     Unlike the bread, however, wine is a symbol of happiness, festivity, celebration. Jesus identified with the poor, but He also gave His life so that our “joy may be complete.” Jesus Christ is true joy.

     A final thought: wine was used in the time of Christ as medicine. Recall that the Good Samaritan poured wine on the wounds of the man left for dead by the robbers. So, Jesus gave Himself in the Eucharist to heal us and strengthen us.

     I should say a word about what we do with the Eucharistic bread and wine during Mass. The priest breaks the consecrated bread before we receive Holy Communion, and we drink from the cup containing the consecrated wine. The breaking of the bread, the Body of Christ, symbolizes the sacrificial death of the Lord made present in the Eucharist. Our drinking from the cup shows our willingness to partake in His sufferings as well as in His resurrection. That is why we are encouraged by the Church to receive Holy Communion under both the sign of bread and the sign of wine.

     Next week: Eucharist as the Real Presence.
                                                              

                                                                                  Msgr. David Lockard

 

Quote for Thought:

 

“What is most striking about the traditional eucharistic elements of bread and wine is that neither are found in nature, rather, both are produce which requires a transformation of nature. Berries and spring water do not provide us with the elements of the Eucharist which requires gift of the earth, fruit of the vine, and work of human hands. The cooperation between nature and humanity is implicit in the very elements of bread and wine. Furthermore, this cooperative venture presumes a long and reciprocal relationship. Bread is not produced overnight. The land needs to be cleared, seeds planted, crops tended, grain harvested, milled and baked. Then the land rests before the cycle begins again. And while a grain crop can be produced in a matter of a few months, the reciprocal  relationship required of producing wine is even greater. Vines must be planted, tended and pruned for years before they produce a grape of any quality. Even after the harvesting of the grape, the produce needs to ferment and mature before achieving the dignity of wine. Thus, the very elements of bread and wine presume a symbiotic relationship between humankind and nature, especially for the sustained production of these elements.”

 

- Edward Foley, “The Preparatory Rites: A Case Study in Liturgical Ecology”, in Worship, January 1993