Seminar on the Mystery of the Eucharist at the Monastery of St. Bishoy – Wadi El Natrun
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains in this lecture the mystery of the Eucharist and affirms that it is not a mere simple remembrance but a real encounter with the Body and Blood of the Lord, and that the understanding of this mystery is based on the texts of John 6, Matthew 26, and 1 Corinthians 11.
Biblical and Theological Origin:
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III points out that Christ said “This is my body” and “This is my blood” so one must not ignore Christ’s words literally, and that the Apostle Paul teaches that whoever partakes unworthily is guilty and receives judgment for himself.
Discernment and Worthiness:
The Eucharist requires discernment and examination of conscience; a person must examine himself and not partake unworthily because in that there are spiritual and bodily punishments as the Apostle mentioned (weakness, illness and perhaps death).
The Altar, the Sacrifice, and the Mystery:
The presence of an altar, a sacrifice and a church rite is part of the nature of the mystery; denying the altar or considering it merely a symbol strips the Eucharist of its theological depth, because the Eucharist is communion in the Body and Blood of Christ and a new sacrifice.
Practical and Spiritual Preparation:
The Orthodox Church requires real preparation before partaking: fasting, confession, repentance, and reconciliation with brothers — because partaking requires steadfastness and a new life to abide in Christ (“abide in me and I in you”).
Connection to Passover and Liturgy:
Christ linked the old Passover and the new Passover; the mystery of the Eucharist is a continuation of the Passover sacrifice and is celebrated in the liturgy to connect the remembrance of salvation with spiritual life.
Spiritual and Educational Conclusion:
The Eucharist is food of life and not an empty symbol; we must preserve its theological and liturgical understanding, and prepare our souls with seriousness and humility so that we abide in Christ and receive eternal life.
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