In the last issue of this article, I shared the fact that the Church is a community that gathers for anamnesis, and is in a profound sense formed and shaped by it. This is perhaps most evident in the Eucharist, and most fully developed in the sense of remembrance and anticipation at its heart. Luke shares the story of the two disciples who, on the road to Emmaus, encountered Jesus, after His death, on the road to Emmaus: Jesus explained to them in the whole of scripture the things that referred to Himself and then He broke the bread, and offered it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him and then without a moment’s delay they set out and returned to Jerusalem.

This story illuminates the complex dynamics of this activity of anamenesis. The climax of the story occurs when the risen Christ breaks bread with them. This text gives us an insight into the Eucharist. Just as in the liturgy, the disciples heard scriptures explained to them; then they shared a meal during which the risen Christ is recognized in the breaking of bread. There is continuity with the Last Supper and there is a moment of transformative encounter, which moves the disciples to return to Jerusalem where the Church is coming into being, and they begin to engage in mission.

Individually and corporately we need to remember and anticipate in order to make sense of our own identities and purpose in the world. The Church is dependent on its act of anamnesis: her life and witness over two thousand years has been punctuated by obedience to the command ‘Do this in remembrance of me’. It is a practice that is both retrospective and anticipatory. In the Eucharist we remember God’s acts in salvation history, culminating in Christ’s life, death and resurrection and focusing on the Last Supper. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus we encounter Christ in the present to be nourished and transformed. The Church is called into being. The process of anamnesis has effects in the present as the Church is sent out in service and mission as His Church, anticipating the future Kingdom. To share in broken bread and out poured wine is to participate in the body of Christ. Thereby, the Church is formed as the body of Christ in and for the world. The Church celebrates the Eucharist and is formed by and in it.