Page "Historical roots of Catholic Eucharistic theology" Paragraph 5

In the perspective of Catholic theology, the foundations of the Eucharist were laid in the Old Testament.

The most explicit connection with the Old Testament is the idea of the Eucharist as a New Passover in which Christ serves as the paschal lamb whose body and blood, offered as a sacrifice in his Passion, effect redemption ( 1 Cor 5: 7-8 ).

The Eucharist relates to the Passover specifically as a sacrifice through their common background in the todah or thanksgiving sacrifice ( Lev 7: 12-15 ).

The Passover sacrifice was the collective todah of Israel under the Mosaic covenant and, as such, the highest instance of todah sacrifice in the Old Testament.

Likewise, the very term " Eucharist " ( from the Greek eucharistia ) reflects the centrality of thanksgiving.

Christ's words of institution emphasize the essential todah elements of thanksgiving and remembrance, whose object in this case is his " body which is given for you " ( Lk 22: 19 ).

As suggested by the Gospel's use of Psalm 22, a classic todah psalm, Christ's Passion, death, and resurrection exemplify the characteristic todah movement from lament to praise.