This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also the feast of the memorial of The Lord’s unconditional love for us. At the last supper with his Apostles, Jesus offers this Sacramental food for us. St. Matthew has recorded this in the Gospel stating: “Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28. Also confer Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20).
The Catholic Church believes firmly that Jesus Christ instituted the Eucharist as a Sacrament of his perennial presence with us and as a spiritual food for our soul. Jesus said: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven, if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever, and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh… Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:51-53). Hence, the Church continues to celebrate the Holy Mass daily inviting the people to receive the Eucharist, in order to be nourished for our soul. Every time when the Holy Mass is celebrated, the bread and wine are offered and transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and through the instrumentality of the priest, celebrating the Holy Mass.
By receiving the Holy Eucharist, we become united with Christ: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (John 6:56). By this union, we are immersed in the eternal love of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the Sacraments… In the most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist… the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained. This presence is real…” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1374).
Let us appreciate the love of God and thankfully receive this Sacramental food, offered to us graciously.
Fr. Arul Joseph V.