Some thoughts on the relationship between the Eucharist and Covenant

We begin this time of Eucharistic reflection with some thoughts on the 
relationship between the Eucharist and Covenant, one of the most important 
concepts in both Old and New Testaments. In fact, the notion of covenant was 
one of the primary means by which the people of Israel understood their 
relationship with God. The word Covenant as understood from its biblical 
origins in the Old Testament evokes the idea of agreement, contract, bond, 
promise ń but all in service of the overriding theme of relationship. Over 
and over God promises the people of Israel that He will be their God and 
they will be his people. From various different perspectives this is what 
God promises in agreement with Noah, Abraham and Moses.

All four accounts of the institution of the Eucharist refer to covenant and 
the importance of the covenant references underline the link between the 
Eucharist and the celebration of Passover. The Passover celebrated Godís 
deliverance of the Jewish people from their bondage in Egypt which was the 
basis for the special relationship between God and Israel. The Eucharist is 
the celebration and renewal of the new covenant in the blood of Jesus. As we 
participate in the Eucharistic meal we immerse ourselves in the life death 
and resurrection of Jesus and renew again our desire to live in relationship 
with God and all those with whom we are bonded around the Eucharistic table.

We all need the Eucharist because only the Eucharist has the power to change 
and renew ourselves, our parish, our church and our world. We know that 
politics alone, science alone, technology alone are incapable of effecting 
the changes our world needs. Yes we can do things faster and more 
efficiently than ever before but only the Eucharist can change and renew our 
interior spirit and make us the people the Lord wants us to be. We live in a 
complex, confused and oftentimes bewildered time with many uncertain where 
the answers to our deepest needs can be found. The Eucharist is Godís answer 
to all our needs because the Eucharist contains the risen Lord Jesus who 
continues to remind us that he, and he alone, is ěthe way, the truth, and 
the life.