The Eucharist as the one-and-the-same sacrifice at Calvary and the Resurrected flesh and blood of Christ

[Mort_Alz]

In casually reading some Orthodox discourse on Holy Communion, they often talk about the flesh and blood of Christ at Communion being His resurrected flesh and blood.

On the contrary, I often hear many Latins putting an emphasis on the Mass’ sacrificial nature. They say that Holy Communion takes us to Calvary. This almost indicates that the Eucharist is Christ’s body on Calvary (unless I am making an assumption or unwarranted inference).

Is there a contradiction between East and West on this? Or are they the same, I just don’t know about it?

 

[GaryTaylor]

I can’t see a difference in either. Maybe this will help clarify…

therealpresence.org/archives/Eucharist.htm

 

[Cristiano]

In casually reading some Orthodox discourse on Holy Communion, they often talk about the flesh and blood of Christ at Communion being His resurrected flesh and blood.

On the contrary, I often hear many Latins putting an emphasis on the Mass’ sacrificial nature. They say that Holy Communion takes us to Calvary. This almost indicates that the Eucharist is Christ’s body on Calvary (unless I am making an assumption or unwarranted inference).

Is there a contradiction between East and West on this? Or are they the same, I just don’t know about it?

I think that you are confused. Now I am going to talk specifically in reference to the Roman Rite but the same logic applies to the Eastern Rites. The mass is a re-presentation of the sacrifice of Christ on the Calvary. Once the species have been consecrated we have the co-mingling of the species and that is done by putting a tiny piece of bread into the wine and that symbolism makes us understand that the sacrifice is over and that now we are dealing with the resurrected and glorified body of Christ and that is the reason why we can be in communion with God.

 

[SonCatcher]

In casually reading some Orthodox discourse on Holy Communion, they often talk about the flesh and blood of Christ at Communion being His resurrected flesh and blood.

On the contrary, I often hear many Latins putting an emphasis on the Mass’ sacrificial nature. They say that Holy Communion takes us to Calvary. This almost indicates that the Eucharist is Christ’s body on Calvary (unless I am making an assumption or unwarranted inference).

Is there a contradiction between East and West on this? Or are they the same, I just don’t know about it?

Could not God do both?

 

[Rich_C]

In casually reading some Orthodox discourse on Holy Communion, they often talk about the flesh and blood of Christ at Communion being His resurrected flesh and blood.

On the contrary, I often hear many Latins putting an emphasis on the Mass’ sacrificial nature. They say that Holy Communion takes us to Calvary. This almost indicates that the Eucharist is Christ’s body on Calvary (unless I am making an assumption or unwarranted inference).

Is there a contradiction between East and West on this? Or are they the same, I just don’t know about it?

From what I understand we emphasize different parts of the life of Christ, but for all Christians since the Apostles the Mass/Divine Liturgy has been understood as a participation in the Sacrifice of the Cross made present in the unbloody Sacrifice of the altar; they are the same Sacrifice. I’ve never read that the Orthodox have strayed from this doctrine as the Protestants have, so I think the difference is less deep than you think.

 

[Nine_Two]

I don’t see an issue between the two positions.

 

[mardukm]

In casually reading some Orthodox discourse on Holy Communion, they often talk about the flesh and blood of Christ at Communion being His resurrected flesh and blood.

On the contrary, I often hear many Latins putting an emphasis on the Mass’ sacrificial nature. They say that Holy Communion takes us to Calvary. This almost indicates that the Eucharist is Christ’s body on Calvary (unless I am making an assumption or unwarranted inference).

Is there a contradiction between East and West on this? Or are they the same, I just don’t know about it?

We do receive the resurrected Flesh of Christ at communion.

In the eternal perspective of God, all future celebrants of the Eucharist “were” already present at the foot of the Cross 2000 years ago, since that single temporal Sacrifice of Christ is for all time. From our temporal perspective, we are made present at the foot of the Cross during the celebration of the Eucharist. Another way to see it is that we are made present at the eternal altar in heaven where (as recorded in Revelation) the Lamb is present as though it had been slain. The eternal altar in heaven is one and the same the temporal Sacrifice of Christ at Calvary.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Mort_Alz]

Thank you for all your answers. I figured it might be something like both/and. That’s typically how the Church operates.

 

[Swiss_Guy]

In casually reading some Orthodox discourse on Holy Communion, they often talk about the flesh and blood of Christ at Communion being His resurrected flesh and blood.

On the contrary, I often hear many Latins putting an emphasis on the Mass’ sacrificial nature. They say that Holy Communion takes us to Calvary. This almost indicates that the Eucharist is Christ’s body on Calvary (unless I am making an assumption or unwarranted inference).

Is there a contradiction between East and West on this? Or are they the same, I just don’t know about it?

There is no contradiction. The Mass is the same sacrifice Christ offered on Calvary, but it is Christ’s glorified and Resurrected body and blood. It doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, but that’s why it’s called a Mystery.