How often should be celebrated the Lord’s Evening Meal, or the Memorial of Christ’s death ?
Some believe it should be celebrated several times a year, particularly during the congregation meetings—for instance, on Sundays or another day of the week.
Others believe it should be celebrated only once a year, on the anniversary of Christ’s sacrificial death—that is, the 14th of Nisan according to the Bible (or Jewish) calendar. This is the date of the former Jewish Passover, which has been replaced by this Christian observance.
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Christians who believe that the Memorial should be observed several times a year base their view on several biblical texts that appear to suggest that Christians did indeed « break of bread » during their weekly gatherings—which may have taken place on Sundays. Indeed, Acts chapter 2 states: « And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers » (Acts 2:42 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]).
This practice of breaking of bread during the weekly Christian gathering on the first day of the week (Sunday) appears to be confirmed by a second passage in the Book of Acts, chapter 20: « And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, being to depart on the morrow: and he continued his speech until midnight » (Acts 20:7 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]).
The text of 1 Corinthians chapter 11 alludes more directly to the celebration of the commemoration of Christ’s death: « For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. 24 And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. 25 In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. 26 For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come » (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]).
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« Breaking bread »: a generic term for sharing a meal
We will examine the expression « breaking bread » to determine whether or not it consistently refers to the Lord’s Supper—or the Memorial of Christ’s death—or if it is simply a general term for sharing a meal. Depending on the biblical context, « breaking bread » can signify the sharing of a meal, given that bread was the staple food at the time, accompanied by fish, meat, or vegetables.
For example, the expression « breaking bread » appears in the account of the multiplication of the loaves: « But Jesus said to them, They have no need to go: give you them to eat. 17 They answered him: We have not here, but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said to them: Bring them hither to me. 19 And when he had commanded the multitudes to sit down upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up what remained, twelve full baskets of fragments. 21 And the number of them that did eat, was five thousand men, besides women and children » (Matthew 14:16-21 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]). Thus, in this context, the expression « breaking bread » signifies the sharing of a meal.
Regarding the end of the narrative of the road to Emmaus, where two disciples met the risen Jesus Christ; here is what is written regarding the meal: « And they drew night to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. 29 But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them. 30 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight » (Luke 24:28-31 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]). Once again, in this context, the expression « breaking bread » refers to sharing a meal. It is evident that, in this instance, Jesus Christ did not celebrate the Memorial of His death with these two disciples. It is the context that determines the meaning of this expression—whether it refers to sharing a meal or to celebrating the Memorial of Christ’s sacrifice.
Regarding the text of Acts 2:42, the Douay – Rheims Translation, renders the phrase quite accurately as « the breaking of bread »: « And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers » (Acts 2:42 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]). To determine whether this refers to the observance of the Memorial or to the sharing of meals, one must look to the historical context of the passage.
The beginning of Acts chapter 2 shows that a great crowd had come up to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost and that, on this occasion, there was a mass conversion of three thousand people to Christianity (Acts 2:41). Following the mention of the three thousand people comes the information from Acts 2:42 quoted above; did the apostles, in this instance, celebrate the Memorial through the « breaking of bread »? The context suggests the sharing of meals—a practice that quickly became a logistical challenge, given that this large assembly remained in Jerusalem for a number of days. Here is what is written through the end of the chapter:
« And fear came upon every soul: many wonders also and signs were done by the apostles in Jerusalem, and there was great fear in all. 44 And all they that believed, were together, and had all things common. 45 Their possessions and goods they sold, and divided them to all, according as every one had need. 46 And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart; 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved » (Acts 2:43–47 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]).
Thus, to address logistical challenges, the disciples held everything in common, and the account adds: « Breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of hear » (Acts 2:46 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]). It is worth noting that the expression « breaking bread » is associated with eating together with joy and sincerity during a meal.
Confirmation that the expression « breaking bread » is generic and means sharing a meal can be found in other translations of the Bible, in Acts 2:42:
« They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers » (Acts 2:42 – The Message Bible Translation – MSG).
« And they kept their attention fixed on the Apostles’ teaching and were united together in the taking of broken bread and in prayer » (Acts 2:42 – The Bible in Basic English Translation – BBE).
« The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers » (Acts 2:42 – Common English Bible Translation – CEB).
« They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers » (Acts 2:42 – Good News Translation – GNT).
Continuing to examine the historical context of Acts 2:42, Chapter 4 mentions another mass conversion of five thousand people, which created a new logistical problem regarding food distribution; this issue appears in the narrative at the beginning of Acts Chapter 6: « And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business’ » (Acts 6:1–3 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]).
Thus, a careful examination of the historical context of the Book of Acts—specifically chapters 2 through 6—amply demonstrates that the expression « breaking bread » refers not to the celebration of the Memorial, but to the sharing of a meal or the distribution of food. We find confirmation of this same generic usage—denoting the sharing of a meal—in Acts chapter 27: « And when he had said these things, taking bread, he gave thanks to God in the sight of them all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat » (Acts 27:35 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]). It is evident that in this instance (during an ongoing shipwreck), the Apostle Paul did not break bread to celebrate the Memorial, but rather to share a meal.
Regarding the context of the passage in Acts 20:7, it is written: « And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, being to depart on the morrow: and he continued his speech until midnight » (Acts 20:7 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]). Given the explanations provided above—demonstrating that the expression « breaking bread » refers to sharing a meal—everything indicates that, in this account, the Apostle Paul had been invited to a meal (or « assembled to break bread ») and, on that occasion, delivered a farewell speech afterward. This means that, in the case of this passage, the event was not a formal meeting but rather a meal, after which the Apostle Paul spoke to deliver a farewell address.
Once a year
The Passover is the pattern of the divine requirements for the celebration of the memorial of the death of Christ: « Those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ » (Colossians 2:17). « For since the Law has a shadow of the good things to come, but not the very substance of the things » (Hebrews 10:1).
Just as God did not require the Jewish Passover to be celebrated every Sabbath—that is, every Saturday—so too, the commemoration of Christ’s death need not be celebrated every week. Here is what the Apostle Paul wrote regarding Christ’s sacrifice: « Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed » (1 Corinthians 5:7 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]). The analogy—or correspondence—between the commemoration of Christ’s death and the former Jewish Passover, which was celebrated once a year, is clear.
One last detail regarding to Ezekiel’s prophecy—specifically chapters 40–48, which contain a prophetic description of the administration of the Kingdom of God on earth. Here is what is written in Ezekiel chapter 45: « In the first month, on the 14th day of the month, you will observe the festival of the Passover. For seven days unleavened bread should be eaten » (Ezekiel 45:21). Naturally, in the earthly paradise, the Jewish Passover will no longer be celebrated; instead, the observance will be the commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ—the event that makes resurrection and everlasting life on earth possible. The point is that the prophetic symbolism of the Jewish Passover points to the commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ, an event linked to the date of Nisan, 14, mentioned in that prophecy (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Consequently, it is also appropriate to apply another passage from this same First Letter to the Corinthians, which states: « But these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollo, for your sakes; that in us you may learn, that one be not puffed up against the other for another, above that which is written » (1 Corinthians 4:6 – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]).
In conclusion, the editorial stance of this site is to confirm that the Commemoration of Christ’s sacrificial death takes place once a year, on the anniversary of the 14th of Nisan (a date in the Jewish biblical calendar). Whatever a disciple of Christ decides in their heart, let them do so with faith: « For all that is not of faith is sin » (Romans 14:23b – Douay – Rheims Translation – [Catholic Version]).
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The Commemoration of the Death of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19)
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