The Eucharist: Origins and Contemporary Understandings

Description

Theological reflection upon the Eucharist is dominated by two paradigms: One approach interprets the Eucharist almost exclusively in theological terms, shaped by Scholasticism and the Reformation. Most discussions about the nature of the Eucharist, Eucharistic presence or the role of the priest follow these categories, even if they come in modern disguise. The other reads the Eucharist as an event which can be explored empirically. O’Loughlin develops a new understanding of the Eucharist. This can be done by looking afresh at the historical evidence and bringing it in dialogue with modern theology. In the past decades, historical research and new discoveries have changed our view of the origins and the development of the Eucharist. By bringing history into a fruitful dialogue with sacramental and liturgical theology, he shows not only ways how theology and practice can be brought closer together again, but also how current ecumenical divisions can be overcome. His book makes an important contribution to eucharistic theology, both for individual church traditions as well as for ecumenical dialogues. Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1 Starting points for a study of the Eucharist Historical contingence Ritual and routine Memory and community The theologian’s vocation Theological approaches Chapter 2 The focus of eucharistic thinking: Thanking the Father Part 1: We have got problems Part 2: Is there an alternative? Part 3: Reviewing where we now stand Chapter 3 Locating our ritual: Food, community and prayer Must we start with homo cenarius? Nature – Grace Food and religion Fasting Rituals relating to food Blessing God for food Prayer as acknowledgement and praise Food as a human right Cooking as the human ‘specific difference’ Meals and liturgy Forgetting and remembering other meals The event of significance Chapter 4 Locating the Eucharist Centre and summit? Paradigm dissonance Levels of added significance The centrality of memory Chapter 5 Meals and Christian memories The feast of thankfulness The celebration of unity The meal of sacrifice The ecumenical meal The gathering of Israel The supper of reconciliation The place of encounter Memory, recollection and events Chapter 6 Distinctive memories: The acts of blessing and their recollection The Last Supper Is another quest possible? The common strands What then of the Last Supper? Sed contra . . . From servants to friends Chapter 7 The common meal and the common good Displacements Confronting the past in the future Bibliography Ancient and medieval texts and authors1 Ecclesiastical documents Modern authors Index General Index