Grace Thompson
The Catholic hymn Do This in Memory of Me is a call to action for Catholics, who believe that the Mass is a foretaste of heaven on earth. The phrase originates from Jesus' command to do this in memory of Me, which is understood by Catholics as more than just recalling His words and actions. The hymn, with lyrics such as I am the bread of life/All who believe in Me will have eternal life, emphasizes the belief that the Eucharist is not just a memorial but a means of communing with the divine. This idea of memory is similar to the Jewish concept, where historical events of God's action are not stuck in the past but are constantly present in sacred gatherings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Hymn | Do This in Memory of Me |
| Author | Glenn Edward Burleigh |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Theme | Communion, Sacrifice, Redemption |
| Biblical Reference | Jesus' command at the Last Supper |
| Biblical Figure | Jesus Christ |
| Biblical Symbol | Bread of Life |
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What You'll Learn
The hymn's lyrics
The hymn "Do This in Memory of Me" is a Catholic hymn that speaks to the solemn nature of the Mass. The lyrics of the hymn revolve around the theme of remembrance, with a focus on the Eucharist as the bread of life and the sacrifice made by Jesus.
Verse 1
The first verse sets the tone with the declaration:
> I am the bread of life,
All who believe in Me will have eternal life.
I am the bread of life,
Come down from heaven,
So that all who eat this bread will never die.
Chorus
The chorus reinforces the idea of partaking in the Eucharist as a way to honour Jesus' memory:
> Take the living bread of life,
Take the cup of sacrifice,
Do this in memory of Me.
Take the body and the blood,
Given freely out of love,
Do this in memory of Me.
Verse 2
The second verse continues the theme of communion, emphasizing that those who come to Jesus will not hunger:
> I am the bread of life,
Whoever comes to Me will not hunger again.
I am the bread of life,
No one can come to Me
Unless the Father draws them near to Him.
Bridge
The bridge highlights the importance of partaking in the Eucharist and drinking the blood of Christ for eternal life:
> Amen, I say to you,
Unless you eat the flesh
Of the Son of Man and drink His blood,
You shall not have life.
All who will eat My flesh and drink My blood
Will have eternal life,
And I will raise them up again.
Interpretation
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The Eucharist
Catholics share a similar belief that the Mass is heaven on earth, as described by Saint John in the Book of Revelation. In his vision of the heavenly Liturgy, Saint John describes angels and saints constantly praising God and venerating the Lamb. The first constitution of Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium, affirms this belief: "In the earthly Liturgy, we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly Liturgy… We sing a hymn to the Lord's glory with all the warriors of the heavenly army." Thus, the Eucharist is a sacred act that unites heaven and earth, allowing Catholics to participate in the heavenly Liturgy while still on earth.
The hymn "Do This In Memory Of Me" encapsulates this belief. The lyrics invite believers to partake of the living bread of life and the cup of sacrifice, reminding them of Jesus' sacrifice and his presence in the Eucharist. Through this hymn and the Eucharist itself, Catholics are called to action, to remember and participate in the work of redemption, and to share in the divine nature of Christ. It is a solemn reminder of the presence of Jesus in the Mass and the responsibility that comes with it.
In conclusion, the Eucharist is a central sacrament in the Catholic Church, and the phrase "Do this in memory of me" holds profound theological significance. It is a call to action, inviting Catholics to actively participate in the sacrifice of Jesus and commune with the divine. Through the Eucharist, heaven and earth meet, and believers are granted the opportunity to experience a foretaste of heavenly Liturgy.
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The Last Supper
The phrase "Do this in memory of me" is a call to action for Catholics, rooted in Jesus' command during the Last Supper. This phrase is believed to signify that the Mass is heaven on earth, as described by Saint John in the Book of Revelation. According to Saint John, the Liturgy involves angels and saints constantly praising God and venerating the Lamb.
The understanding of the phrase is influenced by Jewish customs, where memory signifies active participation in an event, making it present rather than stuck in the past. This concept is evident in the Jewish celebration of Passover, where participants are instructed to view themselves as having personally taken part in the original exodus from Egypt.
During the Last Supper, Jesus' words and actions hold significant meaning. He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "This is my Body... This is my Blood... Do this in memory of me." This act, known as the Eucharist, is more than just a memorial; it is a means of remembering that brings Jesus wholly present – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
In the Catholic Mass, when the priest repeats Jesus' words of consecration, it is a solemn moment. The congregation approaches the altar to receive the host and drink from the chalice, participating in the most meaningful and vital work of their lives. This act of obedience to Jesus' command, "Do this in memory of me," brings them into communion with the divine.
Through the Eucharist, Catholics believe they are not merely recalling Jesus' words and actions but actively participating in the heavenly Liturgy, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. It is a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and a call to unite with him in communion.
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The meaning of memory for Catholics
For Catholics, the phrase "Do this in memory of Me" is a call to action, based on Jesus' command. It is believed that the Mass is heaven on earth, as recorded by Saint John in the Book of Revelation. This belief is further supported by Vatican II's first constitution, Sacrosanctum Concilium, which states that the earthly Liturgy is a foretaste of the heavenly Liturgy.
The understanding of memory for Catholics is influenced by their Jewish heritage. For Jews, memory means "to participate in actively, as if one was present at the event being remembered." This notion is evident in the Haggadah, which instructs Jews to regard themselves as having personally participated in the Exodus from Egypt during the Passover celebration.
Catholics adopt a similar perspective, where remembering is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to action. When Catholics participate in the Eucharist, they believe they are not just recalling Jesus' words and actions but actively participating in His sacrifice. This belief is reflected in the hymn "Do This in Memory of Me," where the lyrics refer to Jesus' sacrifice and the communion elements of bread and wine, representing His body and blood.
During Mass, when the priest says, "Do this in memory of Me," it is considered a solemn moment. Catholics believe that by obeying this command, they are engaging in the most meaningful and vital work of their lives. They are not just remembering Jesus but encountering Him wholly and entirely, bringing them into communion with the divine.
In conclusion, for Catholics, "Do this in memory of Me" is more than just a phrase or a hymn; it is a call to actively participate in the sacrifice of Jesus and to encounter the divine. It is a reminder of their dignity and responsibility as children of God, uniting with the angels and saints in heaven.
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The Mass
The Catholic Mass is a sacred gathering that celebrates the memory of God's salvation. It is believed by some Catholics to be a foretaste of heaven on earth, as recorded by Saint John in the Book of Revelation. This belief is supported by Vatican II's first constitution, Sacrosanctum Concilium, which states that during the Mass, or Liturgy, "We sing a hymn to the Lord's glory with all the warriors of the heavenly army."
The phrase "Do this in memory of me" is also reflected in the hymn "Do This In Memory Of Me," with lyrics such as "I am the bread of life/All who believe in Me will have eternal life." The hymn emphasizes the idea of remembrance and sacrifice, with lines like "Take the living bread of life/Take the cup of sacrifice/Do this in memory of Me."
The act of remembrance during the Mass is significant for Catholics. It is not merely recalling Jesus' words and actions but actively participating in the work of redemption and sharing in the conquest of forces denying God's kingdom. This understanding of memory is similar to the Jewish concept, where an event in God's action is not stuck in the past but is constantly present and re-experienced in sacred gatherings.
During the Mass, Catholics are reminded of their great dignity in being able to call upon the Lord together with angels and saints. However, this dignity also brings responsibility, as their sins and half-hearted worship can delay God's mercy. Thus, the Mass is considered a vital and meaningful encounter, where Catholics are called to action through remembrance and communion with the divine.
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Frequently asked questions
Here is what I found:
> I am the bread of life
> All who believe in Me will have eternal life
> I am the bread of life
> Come down from heaven
> So that all who eat this bread will never die
> Chorus: Take the living bread of life
> Take the cup of sacrifice
> Do this in memory of Me
> Take the body and the blood
> Given freely out of love
> Do this in memory of Me
> Do this in memory of Me
> Verse 2: I am the bread of life
> Whoever comes to Me will not hunger again
> I am the bread of life
> No one can come to Me
> Unless the Father draws them near to Him
> Bridge: Amen I say to you
> Unless you eat the flesh
> Of the Son of Man and drink His blood
> You shall not have life
> All who will eat My flesh and drink My blood
> will have eternal life
> And I will raise them up again
The hymn 'Do This in Memory of Me' is significant in the Catholic Mass. During the Mass, the priest says, "This is my Body, This is my Blood... Do this in memory of me". This is followed by a solemn procession to the altar to receive the host and drink from the chalice. This ritual is believed to be a participation in the most meaningful and vital work of Catholics' lives.
The phrase "Do this in memory of me" is attributed to Jesus. It is believed that Jesus commanded his followers to "Do this in memory of Me" during the Last Supper, as recorded in the Bible.
