This chapter of Yoder has completely changed the way that I view the Eucharist. Growing up, I had always viewed it as something Christians just did - ate a cracker and drank a sip of grape juice - to remember Jesus' death and resurrection. Aside from the moments of contemplation and prayer surrounding the act I never really felt like much was gained from the actual act, and it is something I have often felt ashamed for. I can remember a few times where the actual breaking of bread and drinking of wine have meant something to me, and each of those times was in a small group of people around a table. Yoder's simple way of going back to the Bible and seeing what the breaking of bread and drinking of wine meant to Jesus and the disciples at that moment in history is pretty powerful. There was no celebration of mass, no "Lord's supper," no first-of-the-month church service. It couldn't even be a Passover celebration because of the way it was carried on by the disciples. It was simply sharing a common meal.
I found this chapter very encouraging because of the ways I have struggled with the Eucharist in the past. I would like to see my home church have a common meal (such as a potluck) and remember Christ through the breaking of bread and the drinking of wine (grape juice in my church- one can only dream so much) in that type of setting. Maybe I have found my paper topic?
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This chapter really impacted my ideas about the Eucharist as well. I won't look at it the same ever again. I have always seen it as a symbol and not a way of life. I'm not saying the act hasn't been meaningful for me. I am often overwhelmed by the ceremony and feel a tremendous sense of awe at God's grace. I think that something one can get from a ceremony. There is something holy about it, but I think Yoder is calling for us as Christians to live out our beliefs in a more real way every day. He is calling us to follow in Jesus' and St. Francis's footsteps, but I think we can do it. It will take some time to change my mindset, but it makes sense and I'm intrigued.
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