Mystery of Eucharist
Dear Children of God! How are you? How are you spending this season of Fifty Days of Feast? And How was the holiday of The Ascension of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Hope you have spent it with your family in accordance to the Church Liturgy.
Children! You know after the Lord rose from the dead on the third day, He was revealed to His disciples (spiritual children) and taught, ate with and made them witness of His resurrection entering a closed house. “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19-20)
Onwards, He told them like, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7)
Later on, “He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53)
On the tenth day of His ascension and the fifth day of His resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. The Bible states it as, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
Then, the apostles were sent out to preach the word of God (Gospel), baptize gentiles (unbelievers) and cast out demons from humans. The Lord had ordered them saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
Subsequent to their teaching and work of the Lord, we celebrate “The Ascension of the Lord on the fortieth day,” “Feast of Pentecost” on the fiftieth day and fast “The Apostles Fast” starting the following day of the feast on the “Month of Sene” until the Feast of Departure of the Two Pillars of Church, Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul on “Hamele 5.”
Dear Children of God! our Lord and Savior not only taught us about fasting and the Church Liturgy through the disciples, but also about the “Mystery of Eucharist.” During passion week, locally known as “Tselote Hamus,”, Our Lord sat with the twelve apostles in the evening “and as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)
You see little ones! What we call “The Eucharist” is “The Holy Flesh and Holy Blood of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” It is the gift we are bestowed (given) from God, upon the crucifixion of the Lord, when He break His flesh and poured His blood on the cross, after they beat, pierced and crucified Him. It is the what we eat and drink at the House of the Lord, the Church, during the Divine Liturgy, for the salvation of our soul.
Eucharist comes from the Greek word “eucharistia”, which literally translates to “thanksgiving.” The celebration of the Eucharist functions in the Christian tradition as a thanksgiving for Jesus’ sacrifice.”
The Mystery of Eucharist is also called “The Sacrament of the Holy Communion.” “The Sacrament of Communion is a Holy Sacrament by which the believer eats the Holy Body and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, presented by the Bread and Wine. This Sacrament has the greatest importance among the Seven Church Sacraments. It is sometimes called the “Mystery of Mysteries” or the “Crown of Sacraments”; for all the Sacraments are crowned by the Eucharist.” (Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox Church Pre-Service Training Seminars)
Dear Children, what is important to understand here other than the meaning and significance of partaking the Eucharist (Holy Communion), we shall know how to prepare for it and what to do and not to do after partake of His flesh and blood.
First, anyone who is to partake in the Holy Communion needs to repent (the liturgy of cleaning from sin (bad deed), be baptized and be clean in and outside his/her body, before attending the “Divine Liturgy.”
Second, we shall know what to do during the Divine liturgy. You might be little to know the liturgy and follow the Geeze and Amharic words to keep up with the Priests at the order of the Church, but as we shall all need to know and learn it, you will be able to cope up when you grow little by little within the service of the church.
Last but not least, we have to know what not to do after we partake the Eucharist. We must not wash with water our hands or body; we do not have to cut our nails and/or shave our hair. The reason for this is because, we are incarnated with the Lord and our body is Holy, thus we need not to clean it, or do anything else on that day. It is advisable to stay at home the whole day to avoid from dirt or any harm as well.
You must also do not forget not to use any kind of bad, insulting and disrespectful words with your families, relatives, neighbors or friends. It is expected of you to be good children of God being obedient to His Holy words specially on the day you partake of His flesh and blood.
Farewell Children, we have finished for today! Hope you know the importance of “The Mystery of Eucharist” and partake on the Holy Communion frequently attending the “Divine Liturgy” at the Church.
May God be with you, Amen!