Description
“This book is an essay in liturgical theology,” writes Max Thurian, “It is in fact a study in biblical theology which seeks to provide a firm basis for the eucharistic liturgy in the great Judaeo-Christian tradition represented by the Scriptures.” From the insights which came to him within the Brotherhood of Taizé in France, Max Thurian believes that the real presence of Christ must be studied within the ‘liturgical action’ and not isolated as a separate theological problem. In the Reformed tradition of Taizé he turns, therefore, to a study of the Scriptures and opens the Scriptural meaning of the Eucharistic memorial as seen in the Old and New Testaments.
Part I deals with the Old Testament background, while Part II deals with the New Testament background.
About the Author
Max Thurian was sub-prior of the Taizé Community, the first monastic community for men founded in the Churches of the Reformed or Lutheran tradition, and was editor of the theological review Verbum Caro.
He is also the translator of Mary: Mother of the Lord, Figure of the Church (1963, 1985), Our Faith: Basic Christian Belief (1982), Priesthood and Ministry: Ecumenical Research (1983), The Mystery of the Eucharist: An Ecumenical Approach (1983) and Confession (1985).
Contents
Part I: The Old Testament
Foreword
Introduction
I. The Memorial and the Passover
II. The Memorial as a Liturgical Term
III. The Memorial of the Passover and of Unleavened Bread
The Passover
Unleavened Bread
IV. The Memorial of the Meal Offering
The Various Sacrifices
The Oblation or Meal Offering
The Shewbread
The Sacrifices of the Poor, the Sick and of Sinners
V. The Memorial in the Liturgy
The Ephod and the Breastplate
The Prayer of Intercession
The Liturgical Vestments
The Robe of the Ephod and the Trumpets
Liturgical Music in the Eucharist
Beauty in the Liturgy as a Memorial of God’s Marvellous Acts
Images and the Eucharist
VI. The Memorial of Prayer
The Intercession of the Angels and the Communion of Saints
The Prayer of the Incense and of Lights
Prayer “in the name of …”
Appendix
Index
Part II: The New Testament
I. The Memorial in the New Testament
The Memorial of Sin to obtain Forgiveness
The Memorial of Prayer and Charity
The Memorial of the Saints
“Making Remembrance”
II. The Words of Christ at the Last Supper
The Anamnesis of the Mysteries
The Blessing of the Elements
The Breaking of the Bread
The Separation of the Elements
The Blood of the Covenant
The Remission of Sins
The Present Reality of the Sacrifice
The Proclamation of the Cross
The Eschatological Entreaty
III. The Eucharistic Sacrifice
The Sacrament of the Sacrifice
The Presentation of the Sacrifice
The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
The Sacrifice of Intercession
The Eucharistic Sacrifice and Justification by Faith
The Heavenly Intercession
The Church’s Offering
IV. The Real Presence
The Calvinistic Doctrine of the Real Presence
Theses concerning the Real Presence
Conclusion
Appendix
Index
