For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."  In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:25*

The Sacrament of Holy Communion is the second great Sacrament commanded by our Lord.  It was ordained to be a continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits we receive thereby.  The outward, visible sign of this Sacrament is the Bread and the Wine, which the Lord has commanded to be received.  The inward, spiritual grace received is the Body and Blood of Christ, which are spiritually taken and consumed by the faithful, for the preservation the body and soul to Everlasting Life.  Holy Communion is also known called The Lord’s Supper, the Holy Eucharist, the Mass, or the Liturgy. Regardless of what it is called, since the time of the Apostles it has been the supreme act of memorial, communion, thanksgiving, offering, and worship of the Christian Church.  It is through this Sacrament that God provides food for our souls, which need spiritual nourishment just as much as our bodies need physical nourishment.

The name Holy Communion points to the partaking of spiritual food. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16

The name Lord’s Supper emphasizes the memorial feature of the Sacrament.  Said our Lord, “Do this in remembrance of me.”  It is a memorial act – not merely recalling a memory but identifying ourselves with the thing that was done. 

The name Holy Eucharist is the name most commonly used by early Christians, and means “Thanksgiving.”  It is the Risen Christ that we meet at the altar, and the service is an act of gratitude for the Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension.  

The name Mass lays its stress upon the sacrificial nature of the Sacrament. “Even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” Matthew 20:28.  The life of our Lord is an offering which reached its climax on Calvary.  It is our participation in his sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction, once offered for the sins of the whole world. It is being continually offered to all, throughout all generations, at all times.

The name Liturgy emphasizes the worship expressed in the Sacrament.  Worship is the acknowledgement of God, the recognition of God, the appreciation of God, and cannot be more completely done than by dramatic participation in our Lord’s self-offering.

Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:32-35*