One reality - many names

 

The one sacrifice and memorial of the Lord’s passion and resurrection has many names:

Eucharist – eucharistein or giving thanks. 

Breaking of bread – found in many places of the New Testament including 1 Corinthians 11:24 (“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.’”).

Eucharistic Assembly – synaxis – referred to by Paul in the Letter to the Corinthians.

Lord's Supper

The Holy Sacrifice – the making present of the one sacrifice of Christ completing and replacing the sacrifices of the Old Testament.

The Divine Liturgy – the most sacred mystery of the Church’s liturgy.

Holy Communion – the bread of angels shared among us for the life of the world.

Holy mass – the sending forth of the people of God to renew the face of the world.

Whatever name we place on this great mystery which reflects some dimension of the celebration we acknowledge that God is at work. This is his work and we are merely responding.