SUPPER vs BANQUET--Happy are those who are called to his 'Supper' or 'Banquet'?

[spiritblows]

We had a visiting priest today and instead of saying *“This is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper.” * he said *“This is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Happy are those who are called to His banquet.” *

Now, to me supper and banquet indicate different types of meals, with a supper being a lighter meal, and banquet being more of a feast with a lot of variety. Also, I think of a banquet table of being more of a help yourself affair. I’ve noticed in traveling, or with visiting priests that some priests like to use the word ‘banquet’ instead of ‘supper’. Is this a new trend? Does it have significance?

 

[aurora77]

We’ve got a visiting priest who comes to our parish quite often who says “banquet.” It does bring up a different image to me, too. I’m not sure why he says it, maybe I should ask? He’s a good and holy man, who gives the most amazing homilies, so I don’t think it’s in a spirit of defiance, you know what I mean?

 

[spiritblows]

Dear aurora,
I’m very curious about this. Hopefully someone here will know the answer. This priest comes when Father takes his vacation. He is the Bishop’s right hand man who is just about to retire. He seems fine to me, his homilies are insightful and interesting.

 

[Elzee]

I’ve seen a priest who regularly says ‘the banquet of the Lamb’.
I’ve often wondered about it too…

 

[Philomeena]

I have heard my priest refer (outside of Mass) to the Eucharist as a preview of the heavenly banquet.

Semantically speaking, I think of supper as a very casual meal, which obviously the Body of Christ is not. It is funny how word choice affects all of us differently.

It’s all interesting-waiting to hear what the answer is…

 

[palmas85]

I’ve heard both the Lords Banquet and the Banquet of the Lamb fairly regularly over the past few years.

 

[spiritblows]

So, it sounds like the words are pretty much interchangable.

 

[porthos11]

The keyword in Latin is “cenam”, which is most straightforwardly translated as “meal.” So Banquet is actually quite acceptable, so is Supper. However the official English translation is “supper”, so we should stick to that till further notice.

I personally like “banquet” because it also brings forth the imagery of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, as portrayed in Revelation, which, of course, the Mass also is.

 

[kleary]

It was so much easier, so much better, and so much not misunderstood when the priest just said, “Behold the lamb of God, behold Him who taketh away the sins of the world”.

Ken