Christ in Present in the Eucharist, Priest, Word and People

[Journeyman]

In paragraph 7 of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the second Vatican Council seems to state that Christ is present in the liturgy in the Eucharist, Priest, people and the Word. This is the paragraph–

“7. To accomplish so great a work, Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister, “the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross” (20), but especially under the eucharistic species. By His power He is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes (21). He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings, for He promised: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20) .”

Does this paragraph and other church teachings indicate that Christ is “more” or “more importantly” present in the Eucharist, or are all four given the same importance? If you know of other church documents that address this question, please indicate what they are.

This question is related to Church architecture and where the focus of the Mass should be. Is it “more” on the Eucharist or are all four the same? Is the Eucharist and the people given the same importance?

Thanks very much.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Yes the Eucharist is the Real presence of Christ Body, Blood Soul and Divinity. He is Really, Truly and Substantially (in substance) present in the Blessed Sacrament. He is Spiritually present in His Priests, His Word, His Sacraments and the Faithful gathered.

Try “Ecclesia de Eucharistia”

I know that the Document by the US Bishops on the “Real Presence” addresses this.

 

[Didi]

The Catechism says:

*The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life.” The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the Blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself, our Pasch. * CCC 1324

 

[Journeyman]

At our parish, the emphasis is on the “people” and the church building is in the round to show that. In fact, I have been told that the church is built that way to emphasize that Christ is in the people and his presence in the people is no less important than his presence in the Eucharist.

But in “Ecclesia de Eucharistia”, Christ presence is noted as being real in the Eucharist but spiritual in the people. IMO, the documents we have cited in this thread indicate that the presence of Christ in the Eucharist is indeed what should be emphasized in the Liturgy. Seems as though the theology that says that the Eucharist, Word, Priest and people should all be given equal weight or importance is in error.

Any other documents that would either support or not support my opinion? Thanks.