The History of Salvation
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Becoming Christ's Body and Blood (1333)
The bread and wine become Christ's Body and Blood by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. On the eve of his passion "he took bread" and "he took the cup filled with wine." The signs of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, while continuing to signify the goodness of creation. Melchizedek prefigured the Eucharist when he "brought out bread and wine" (Gen 14:18).
Jewish Bread and Wine (1334)
In the Old Covenant, bread and wine received a new meaning as the Israelites left Egypt. The annual Jewish Passover was unleavened bread, a memorial of their hasty departure. During their travel across the desert, God fed them with manna. "The cup of blessing" at the end of the Jewish Passover recalls the joy of messianic expectation. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives a new and definitive meaning to the blessing of bread and wine.
Gospel Miracles (1335-1336)
Jesus' miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes prefigures the superabundance of the Eucharist. The miracle of Cana makes manifest the kingdom's wedding feast.
When Jesus first announced the Eucharist (Jn 6), the disciples were divided, just as they were when he announced his passion and death. Although the Eucharist and the cross are stumbling blocks, Christ invites all ages to learn that he has "the words of eternal life" (Jn 6:68).
Instituting the Eucharist (1337)
At the Last Supper, knowing that his hour had come to leave this world, Jesus washed the apostles' feet, gave them the command of love, and then instituted the Eucharist. When he commanded the apostles to "do this in memory of me" (Lk 22:19), "he constituted them priests of the New Testament" (Council of Trent).
Four Accounts (1338)
Paul, Matthew, Mark, and Luke give an account of the institution of the Eucharist. John prepares for this institution by recording Christ's words at Capernaum, "I am the bread that came down from heaven" (6).
Luke's Account (1339)
At Passover, Jesus gave the apostles his Body and Blood. Luke writes that on "the day of Unleavened Bread" Jesus sat at table with his apostles. "He took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And, likewise the cup after supper saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you in the New Covenant is my blood'" (22:7-20). Other accounts of the institution of Eucharist are found in the Gospels of Matthew (26:17-29), Mark (14:12-25), and Paul (1 Cor 11:23-26).
The New Passover (1340)
At this Last Supper (deliberately celebrated at Passover) Jesus gave definitive meaning to the Jewish Passover. The Supper anticipated Jesus' passing over to his Father by his death and rising. Now, the Eucharist celebrates this new Passover and anticipates the Church's final Passover into the kingdom.
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