| Holy Communion is central to the Christian Religion. | | | | drinking his blood. This meal as it turned out is |
| While it is a central component to Christian religious | | | | probably the most famous meal in our entire history. |
| denominations, the emphasis and meaning of Holy | | | | What Jesus meant at the time and what he means |
| Communion varies among the various Christian | | | | for the meal for us today has been discussed and |
| denominations. There is big difference in how for | | | | debated for many many years. The meaning and |
| example the Roman Catholic Church treats and views | | | | significance of this meal has taken on as many |
| communion and how the Baptist Church or the | | | | different meanings as there are Christian |
| Evangelical churches view the importance and role of | | | | denominations. The Roman Catholic Church believes in |
| Holy Communion in the church. | | | | Transubstantiation, meaning that the bread that is |
| Prior to the arrest of Jesus and his eventual | | | | consecrated during the Catholic mass actually |
| crucifixion, Jesus used a meal as a way to commune | | | | becomes the flesh and the wine the actual blood of |
| with his apostles during the Passover feast. The meal | | | | Jesus Christ. As the participants take of the |
| was a traditional Passover meal During this meal he | | | | communion elements they are actually receiving |
| predicted his eventual arrest and even identified his | | | | Christ into their bodies. When Christ is taken into their |
| betrayer. The primary theme and act during this meal | | | | bodies, Jesus actually becomes a part of them. We |
| was the breaking of bread with the 12 Apostles. | | | | have all heard that " You are what you eat". That |
| During the meal he took the unleavened bread as | | | | being said, if you take Jesus into your body he |
| you did not eat leavened bread during Passover. He | | | | becomes part of you. The Roman Catholic Church |
| took the bread and broke it telling the Apostles that | | | | allows the distribution of Holy Communion on a daily |
| this was his body. He then proceeded to take the | | | | basis. As a Catholic you can take communion daily at |
| cup of wine and told the Apostles that this was his | | | | daily mass. When you take a look at the protestant |
| blood which had been shed for them. I can only | | | | religions, you see that they have a different view of |
| imagine the confused look on all of their faces as | | | | the celebration of the communion meal. |
| Jesus told them they were eating his body and | | | | |