Most Holy Eucharist.
Apostles’ Fast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
1 Corinthians 11:23-32. John 6:48-54.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
St. Paul writes to the Corinthians concerning the Eucharist. He explains: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you,” that is, to offer bread and wine in remembrance of Christ, “for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:23, 26). The Greek word we translate as “remember” (anamnesis) holds a much deeper meaning than our English word can convey. Jesus did not command His followers to merely sentimentally recall the events of the past. Rather, the word anamnesis involves remembering in such a way that the past, present, and future are all brought into the present to be participated in right now. When we “remember” what Christ has done for us, we are participating in it.
Given how important the celebration of the Eucharist is, Paul warns the Corinthians: “Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Cor: 11:27-29). The bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ, and so we must receive it with discernment. Christ commands us to take and eat, take and drink of His Body and Blood. After we have done everything to prepare ourselves to receive the Eucharist, in our Byzantine tradition, we pray the following before approaching the chalice: “May the partaking of Your Holy Mysteries, O Lord, be unto me not for judgment or condemnation but for the healing of soul and body.” Having prepared ourselves to receive the Eucharist, it is medicinal for us! The Divine Liturgy is a meal shared among members of the Body of Christ. The best way to participate in a meal is to eat and drink it, and so we should prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood as often as possible.