The Eucharist is the central ceremony to many Christian's worshipping life. It is a memorial of Jesus’ last meal. By sharing a simple meal of bread and wine, Christians remember the death of Jesus. Jesus shared a meal with his disciples on the evening before he died. The last supper took place in an upstairs room in a house in Jerusalem. In Mark 14:12-21 it tells us, Jesus had planned to meet his disciples. He kept it secret to make sure he has that one last meal with them. When they asked Jesus where to meet him, he replied through two of the disciples saying, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, “The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” Jesus’ disciples did everything he had told them and left. When evening came Jesus came with all his disciples to have the meal. Before they ate he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me - one who is eating with me”. “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him”, means that the death of Jesus was part of God’s plan. While they were eating, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks and broke it. He gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it, this is my body”. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out of many”, he said to them. “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.
In the Roman Catholic Church Holy Communion is celebrated every day. All Catholics are expected to attend Mass on Sunday. Some attend during the week as well. They also prepare to receive Holy Communion by fasting for an hour before going to Mass. If they have committed a serious sin, they also go to confessions. The priest is the main celebrant and takes the place of Jesus. The bread and wine and the offerings of the congregation are brought to the altar in a procession. The whole celebration is one of sacrifice based on Jesus’ words. The priest offers the gifts to God, saying, “Lord God, we ask you to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer you with humble and contrite hearts”. He washes his hands and says the Eucharistic prayer. Over bread and wine he says, “Let them become for us the body and blood of Christ”. He says the words of Jesus at the last supper. The words, “Do this as a memorial of me”, mean “in memory of me”. The only meaning of celebrating the Mass is to only sacrifice of Jesus made present. “Lamb of God, you tale away the sins of the word, have mercy on us…” the people say before receiving the bread and wine to ask for God’s forgiveness.
In most Methodist Churches they celebrate Holy Communion once a month on ‘Sacrament Sunday’. It usually takes place after the main service. The minister says the prayer of thanksgiving over the bread and wine. He tells the story of the Last supper which is taken from one of the Gospels, “This is my body. This is my blood”. The people are each given a piece from ordinary bread. Standing around the Communion table the minister says, “Receive the body of Christ which was given for you and the blood of Christ which was shed for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith and thanksgiving”. They all eat it at the same time as a sign of unity. Similarly they each drink grape juice instead of wine from individual plastic cups. After the communion there is a prayer of thanksgiving. The people are sent out into the community with the words, “Go in peace in the power of the Spirit to live and work to God’s praise and glory”.
