The Eucharist: Christ's Self-Communication in a Revelatory Event

Abstract

TIE COUNCIL of Trent tells us that Eucharist contains truly, really, and substantially body and blood together with soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that presence of Christ is brought about that wonderful and singular conversion of whole substance of bread into body, and of entire substance of wine into blood, only species of bread and wine remaining. The Council clearly asserts, therefore, what Eucharist is (Christ) and how this is brought about (transubstantiation), but we must notice that how is limited to matter, elements, and that nothing is said here of form, words used, which we must of course consider, since it is an indispensable part of sacrament. If we look to other magisterial pronouncements, we see this aspect readily affirmed. When truth of transubstantiation (although word itself was not used) was first proposed by teaching office of Church in 1079 to Berengarius, oath he had to take states that it is through mystery of sacred prayer and words of our Redeemer that change is brought about. Likewise, Council of Florence in 1439 specifies that the priest speaking in person of Christ effects sacrament; for by power of very words substance of bread is changed into body of Christ and substance of wine into blood... . These statements call attention to words; them mystery is enacted. If they effect body and blood of Christ, there is certainly to them than merely pronouncing them. It is to this far more that we wish to direct attention. Our deeper grasp today of Hebrew concepts, such as power of word, would shed light on endeavor. Accordingly, we shall consider dynamism of word, then Eucharist as event, and thirdly Eucharist as a constituting action of Christ and assembly. Finally, all this should indicate to us what we will consider