2. A Rose By Any Other Name

Many different names are used for the EUCHARIST. Some call it the BLESSED SACRAMENT. Why? Because, filled with awe, we believe that Christ is made present in his humanity and divinity, under the appearance of bread and wine. It is called the REAL PRESENCE. Why? Not to deny Christ's presence in the other sacraments, it is to emphasize our belief against those who challenge it. Sometimes it is partially referred to as COMMUNION, but there is more to the Eucharist than that. The word EUCHARIST can refer both to the consecrated species and to the liturgical action. It is from the Greek and means "giving thanks." What did our Lord do at the Last Supper, even in the midst of trial and anticipation of his death? He gave thanks to his Father. Thanksgiving is a form of prayer that embraces all other kinds. What does our Lord do when he becomes present upon the altar? He gives thanks to his Father just as he did at the LAST SUPPER. Thus, it might also be called the LORD's SUPPER. Sometimes this celebration is called the MASS, a word derived from the dismissal, "Ite, missa est." More than a neat closure to the liturgy, it is a sending forth. The great mystery of SACRIFICE that we commemorate and celebrate, is to have a continuing meaning for us as we head out into the world. It might also be called the LITURGY. Derived from the Greek, it originally referred to a "state affair" or an endeavor by all the people, as opposed to an individual effort. Every Mass is the work of the entire Church. It is our official act of WORSHIP. Another word, and you will not hear it too often, is VIATICUM. It is from the Latin, "via te cum." Given to those who are desperately ill, the Christ whom they receive in holy communion with be with them (you) along the way. It is an allusion that the person who receives Christ while sick will see shortly, as Saint Paul tells us, Christ face to face.