Origins of the Eucharist

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In all religions people participate in ritualistic ceremonies, these rituals embody the ideology of that religion and also strengthen their unity with their community and also with the god/deities. The Eucharist/Sacrament that is performed in the Christian community is a good example of a ritual that helps the follower embody their religion’s ideology through this physical act. For this field study I will examine what the Eucharist means to Christians, but the primary denomination I will look at is the largest and that is the Roman Catholic Church. The Eucharist, also known as holy communion, blessed sacrament and the Lord’s Supper. Is a Christian sacrament or ordinance according to the instructions of Jesus Christ at the Last Supper as it is written in the New Testament. His followers were to embrace him by taking bread as to represent his body and wine to represent his blood. [2] An excerpt from Corinthians 11:23-26 “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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?’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” An excerpt from Matthew 26: 26-28 “ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, l for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Another scripture that Catholics base this ritual on is Luke 22:19-20
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