Eucharist in the Early Church

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Acts: 2:42

While our celebration of Mass and the Eucharist has its roots in Scripture, it is very different today from what the Apostles and early Christians would have done 2,000 years ago. We tried our best to recreate what would have happened soon after Christ ascended into Heaven and at the beginning of the early Church.

I explained that they would have celebrated the "breaking of the bread" or the "Lord's Supper" during a meal. Bread and fish were very common to eat (but instead of fish I set out green grapes). We also substituted wine for sparkling apple juice. We also had goat cheese and a garlic balsamic dipping sauce for the bread (also common to have).

At their meals, they would have shared stories about Jesus, especially his death and resurrection. We read about the death of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and then what happened at the Last Supper, where we get the words used at Mass, from 1 Corinthians. 

There is a very early Christian writing called The Didache; they believed this was passed down from the Apostles. It is very short, but in it can be found the words of blessing they would have used before breaking bread and sharing the wine.

Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks this way. First, concerning the cup: 

We thank You, our Father, for the holy vine of David Your Servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory forever... 

And concerning the broken bread: 

We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory forever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let Your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom; for Yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever... 

But after you are filled, give thanks this way: 

We thank You, holy Father, for Your holy name which You did cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory forever. You, Master almighty, did create all things for Your name's sake; You gave good and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to You; but to us You did freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Your Servant. Before all things we thank You that You are mighty; to You be the glory forever. Remember, Lord, Your Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Your love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Your kingdom which You have prepared for it; for Yours is the power and the glory forever. Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the Son of David! If anyone is holy, let him come; if anyone is not so, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.

After we said the blessings, shared the "wine" and broke the bread and ate, we all shared something we were thankful for; and then we wrote down as many things as we could think of that we were thankful for (since Eucharist means to "give thanks"). 

It was a blessed night as we came together as a community, just how the early disciples would have for the Lord's Supper.