Do this in Memory of Me?

[Cindy_Lou]

Years ago I was told by a Deacon (who was a font of knowledge of all things interesting and arcane) that the phrase “Do this in Memory of Me” was not a completely accurate translation of the original Aramaic. He stated that “Memory” in the original Aramaic was something more meaningful and active (and I can’t remember exactly what he said it was) that would put to rest the question of whether the Holy Eucharist was a representation or a true fact (as Catholics believe). But I have never seen this discussion anywhere and wonder why? Wouldn’t the correct/complete translation put an end to Protestant beliefs that it’s just a representation? Wouldn’t this also help those Catholics who don’t really believe or understand the nature of the Holy Eucharist? Or was my Deacon just very enthusiatic and stretching his belief to fact?

BTW, this is my first posting, and I’m anxious to hear what you all have to say! :bounce:

 

[_veritas]

First - Welcome!!

I believe the word they have translated as “memory” is really closer to something like “re-presented” (as in, “making present again”)…

The problem is, this too would likely cause confusion. To most causal listeners, it would just sound like “represented” (ie, symbolized).

If the priest was careful to pronounce “re-presented” absolutely correctly, it would still be problematic – since then it sounds like the Catholics really are “killing Christ” all over again (a charge levied against them for centuries by Protestants). This, of course, is false – the Mass is not another sacrifice, it is a “re-presentation” of the One Sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. Each Mass enters into the eternal Sacrifice, all Masses participate in Calvary – this is why every Mass, even the ones that we are not present at, or the ones that a single priest celebrates, all grant graces to us all. We are truly one Body in Christ!

One might then say that the word “memory” could be replaced with the phrase “to make me present (again)”… this again has the same kind of problems as above… the Protestant (or un-educated Catholic) will then say, well, isn’t Christ present all the time?

“Memory” is an accurate translation, though it does have a far too shallow meaning to most English-speaking people I’m afraid. When you remember something you are “making it present” in your mind once again. However, in this case, in the Mass it’s not just in your mind - you remember the words of consecration and the priest’s action of saying those words “makes present” (with the help of the Holy Spirit) Jesus Christ, Body Blood Soul and Divinity, under the appearances (accidents) of bread and wine.

Personally, I would prefer them to have used the “re-presentation” or the “to make me present” phrase… even though there are problems with those too, perhaps it would have been easier to catechize people as to the fullness of their meaning (as opposed to the word “memory” where most people just take for granted that they obviously know what that word means… and it means “symbolic!” )

However, I also realize I am not the Church, and only the Church has authority in these matters. “Memory” it is, and so our task is to be prepared to answer correctly when people ask about it – to learn our faith in spite of what we want to believe, or even what we assume we believe!

+veritas+

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Cindy Lou:

Your deacon was correct. In Jewish culture there is a particular meaning to the word “remember” that does not carry across into English. It means “to make present” and not “to think back.” This is exemplified by the first question the youngest child asks at a Passover Seder: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Note, he doesn’t ask why this night “was” different, but rather why “is” it different.

The whole concept is that, at the Passover, the Jews actually relive the experience of the Passover. That is, they bring forward in time the events of that night in Egypt.

For Jesus, the idea that we are to “Do this in memory of me” is that we will stand at the foot of the cross for the one crucifixion of Jesus – not that we will re-crucify him. We will do this in the context of the one resurrection of Christ.

Does that help?

Deacon Ed

 

[JEANNIEMAC]

Cindy Lou:

Your deacon was correct. In Jewish culture there is a particular meaning to the word “remember” that does not carry across into English. It means “to make present” and not “to think back.” This is exemplified by the first question the youngest child asks at a Passover Seder: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Note, he doesn’t ask why this night “was” different, but rather why “is” it different.

The whole concept is that, at the Passover, the Jews actually relive the experience of the Passover. That is, they bring forward in time the events of that night in Egypt.

For Jesus, the idea that we are to “Do this in memory of me” is that we will stand at the foot of the cross for the one crucifixion of Jesus – not that we will re-crucify him. We will do this in the context of the one resurrection of Christ.

Does that help?

Deacon Ed

I remember reading that, in the original Aramaic, Jesus said, “Do this in re-creation of me”. What say you?

 

[VietCatholic83]

This discussion reminds me of my old parish where the priest would always say “Whenever you do this, remember my love for you.”

I was always curious whether the words of Our Lord could be translated that way, but it just doesn’t seem right.

 

[japhy]

This discussion reminds me of my old parish where the priest would always say “Whenever you do this, remember my love for you.” I was always curious whether the words of Our Lord could be translated that way, but it just doesn’t seem right.

No, that’s not a proper translation, and it doesn’t mean the same thing. The Greek word we translate as “do” is poien, which is used in the Septuagint translation of Exodus 29:38 where it is translated as “offer” (as in sacrifice). The Greek word we translate as “remembrance” is anamnesis which, along with the Hebrew word zikkaron, is more than just a “memorial”, but a re-presenting.

 

[bpbasilphx]

ANAMNESIS in LXX and Patristic Greek is not a mere mental remembrance, but an actually making present of that which is commemorated.

Dom Gregory Dix talks about this in his SHAPE OF THE LITURGY.