Last week I finished reading Brant Pitre's Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper.The book is well written and though it delves into the deep mystery of the Eucharist, it is a readable book and flows easily, even for one unfamiliar with the Church's teachings on the Eucharist.
Pitre begins first with a discussion of the Last Supper and moves then to examine the messianic hopes of Israel and their connections to the Passover. From their he moves to the worship of the Temple and back to the Last Supper. I found his writings on the Bread of the Presence fascinating.
This will be helpful book for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of and faith in the Lord's Real Presence in the Eucharist and will be useful for catechists and preachers, as well, as they seek to unpack the Lord's words.
You can read a quick outline of the book here; that should whet your appetite enough to grab the book.
Agreed; this is a very good book, and helpful for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the Eucharist.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, Pope Benedict XVI argues against a strict reading of the Last Supper as a traditional Passover meal (such as Pitre presents in the more speculative section of his book) in Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem To The Resurrection. I'm not sure which reading I prefer; both certainly present their cases well.