Why did Christ institute the Eucharist?

“I received from the Lord
what I also handed on to you, … 
For as often as you eat this bread
and drink this cup, you proclaim
the death of the Lord until he comes”
(1 Cor 11:23a, 26).

The Old Testament Passover meal proclaimed the salvation of the Israelite people from slavery in Egypt and made them partakers in the covenant of Sinai. That is through their Passover celebration they entered into the singular historical event of the Passover and so also the covenant’s effects which were given in the Passover. This covenant was then handed on to the succeeding generations through their solemn (that is annual) commemorative celebration of Passover.

Their perpetual handing on of the covenantal meal was inspired by their hope in the fulfillment of that covenant, and the celebration itself served to reinvigorate their hope and fidelity to the covenant and the Lord. This dynamic of a covenant being sealed in a sacrifice and then perpetuated by later rituals is the way in which covenants are propagated in the Old Testament.

We see this in the covenant with Abraham, where God promises him land and descendants. Then this is confirmed with the dramatic scene of the sacrificed animals and floating torch; and finally perpetuated by the ritual of circumcision.

Christ in the Triduum perfected the Passover covenant and founded a new and definitive covenant with all of humanity. This was sealed with his self-sacrifice on the Cross and ratified in his resurrection. The Spirit as Advocate bears witness to it. Humanity and God are eternally united in Christ’s nuptial covenant with us.

According to the Old Testament logic, this singular historical event must be handed on in a ritual which commemorates the event and enable future generations to become partakers in this covenantal consummation.

In the upper room Christ handed on this repeatable ritual to the Church so that her members might commemorate and participate in his new and definitive covenant. This is what St. Paul received from the Lord and what he handed onto the community of Corinthians (and the other communities which he founded).

This is what the Apostles and their successors in an unbroken chain of succession for 2000 years have handed on: the way to enter into Christ’s Paschal Mystery, his definitive covenant with creation, wherein Christ as True Man ensures humanity’s perfect fulfillment of the covenant in perfect fidelity and obedience of the Father; and as True God dictates the terms by which future generations enter into this covenant and sends the Holy Spirit to ensure the Church’s unfailing handing on of the celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery.

This commemoration which is handed on is one part the proclamation of the death of the Lord and in another part joyful expectation of his return. The Greek for proclaim is not simply a public statement of fact or a teaching concerning knowledge. Instead, it is the sacred declaration wherein this celebration we solemnly manifest the Lord’s mystery.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s new covenant is rendered present to us, is proclaimed to us, and we are made partakers in the eternal Trinitarian communion of persons. At St. Paul’s advice we proclaim this saving mystery daily, to perpetually hand-on and manifest Christ’s salvation and elevation to all. This will continue until the Lord returns, until the consummation of all creation.

Every Sunday, every time that we go to Mass, this is what the priest hands on to you. It is what he has received. He gives to you the Body and Blood of Our Lord. He gives to you the seal and means of entrance into Christ’s eternal covenant. He gives to you the promise and means of eternal life, eternal communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Father Timothy M. Eck II serves as diocesan director, Office of Divine Worship. His column is the fourth in a monthly series that focuses on increasing devotion to the Eucharist during the Year of Parish Revival.