The heart of this edifying book about the Eucharist is seven meditations on words associated with that Christian rite: remembrance, communion, forgiveness, covenant, nourishment, anticipation and eucharist (literally, "thanksgiving"). In these reflections, Smith (Beginning Well
; On the Way
) reminds us that symbols and rituals have meaning. The altar, he says, is a place where Christians have fellowship with God and with one another; at the altar, believers are drawn into God's forgiveness of sins. Communion reminds believers of the heavenly feast they can anticipate. If Smith's claims are not startlingly original, he does provide a concise and useful index of Eucharistic thinking. Theologically, he casts a broad net, drawing on various Christian understandings of the Eucharist and showing how different Christian communities can learn from one another. He defers to a diverse array of writers and theologians, from fourth-century bishop Cyril of Jerusalem and 16th-century reformer John Calvin to contemporary liberation theologian Gustavo Gutierrez and feminist literary critic Carolyn Heilbrun. Although the first two chapters are dry and academic, those who make it to the seven central chapters will be rewarded with a rich feast indeed. (Aug.)
