SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION – EUCHARIST:
Scripture: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you.” – John 6:54
Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself.” – CCC #1324
Brothers and sisters, the sacraments – especially the Eucharist – is what defines our faith and our Church. When we celebrate and receive the Eucharist, we are called to thanksgiving for the sacrifice of the Lord. Who gave His entire Self – His entire life – for our salvation. No matter our state or station in life, Jesus did this for us, which is cause to sing His praises and thanksgiving.
And this calls to mind the story of the pelican that we find in many religious settings. The pelican will pierce its own body and tear its flesh in order to feed its young – to feed its children. And what loving parent – what loving sibling – would not do the same?
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine becomes the Body and the Blood of our Lord. The Church calls this change ‘Transubstantiation.’ The Catechism goes on to say “The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ.” – CCC#1377
The Body and Blood of Christ is the Body and Blood of Christ – nothing or no one on this earth or under the earth can diminish the power of Jesus Christ. Whether we receive the Host only, or the cup only, Jesus is fully present in both. Before the pandemic, a study was done that showed only 31% of self-described Catholics believed in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. However, a few years after the pandemic, another study was conducted that now shows 69% of mass-going Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Holy Spirit is certainly at work!
What about us, brothers and sisters? Do we believe that the Eucharist is just a symbol, or do we believe that when we receive Communion, we are receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord? We are able to receive countless graces when we receive our Lord, but it is dependent upon on how we hold it in our hearts.
To receive the Eucharist, and then go out and do nothing – to go out and live for self only – with no regard on how it may affect others – never to care or help others in need – does not help ourselves one bit; we would actually be harming our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
However, brother and sisters, our salvation is strengthened when we receive the Bread of Life and then go out as Jesus did; to teach and preach the Good News. As St. Thomas Aquinas once said, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Again, brothers and sisters, those who receive the Eucharist – the Bread of Life – with eyes of faith, can – and will – rejoice in the Lord’s
promise of eternal life.
Our Savior was crucified and pierced in the side in order that we too may live – that we may be fed. As He charged Peter in the Gospel of John, “Feed my sheep.”
“Holy Communion is the easiest, shortest, and safest way to Heaven.”
-Pope Pius
