The Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist is the most important of the seven sacraments because in this and no other sacrament, we receive the very body and blood of Jesus Christ.

I know that some of you thought I was crazy when I told you that, but it is really true.  You are truly receiving Our Lord when your receive this sacrament.  You are not receiving a sign, you are receiving Our Lord.

How amazing is that???

Yet, I know it can be confusing and so I hope that this blog entry will help you have a better understanding of the Eucharist or at least help you to see that this is the ultimate miracle and we just have to take God's word for it that this is Jesus' body and blood.

Our Church teaches and we are called to believe as Catholics in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

After the consecration, gone are the bread and wine substances.  What is now there is the body and blood of Jesus Christ, which so happens to still look like bread and wine.

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:48).

This is why he instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.

You can read about it in the Bible at Matthew 26:17-20, 26-30.

It may still be hard for some of you to understand that Catholics truly believe that the Eucharist is the literal body and blood of Christ.

Let me help you out here a little bit.  This information comes from my good friends at Catholic Answers in their book How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith.  This is a book I am constantly referencing and can trust that it is true to Catholic teachings.  I have made the lettering bigger so you will know that it is coming from their book.

John 6:51 says that Jesus tells us we must eat His flesh in order to have life.  In John 6:52 the Jews interpret Him literally.  Jesus then repeats again and again (verses 53-56)- in the clearest possible language--that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood i order to have eternal life.  Verse 55 says,"For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed"  this is not the language of symbolism.  In verses 48-58, where Jesus tells us exactly what He means by calling Himself "bread."  The bread Jesus is speaking of is not merely a symbol for spiritual nourishment.  Jesus tells us plainly that the bread is His own flesh (verse 51), which we must eat in  order to have eternal life.  

After reading the verses, you will see that the unbelieving disciples leave Jesus after verse 63--they would not have left at this point if Jesus would have assured them that He was only speaking symbolically.

This is the only time recorded in the New Testament that any of Jesus' disciples left Him because they found His doctrine too hard to accept.  

Perhaps this information will help you get a good start on this mystery of our faith.

What do we need to do before receiving the Eucharist?

1.  We must be free from all serious sin (mortal sin).

We can resolve mortal sin through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

2.  We must fast for one hour prior to receiving Our Lord.  This helps us to focus on Jesus and show reverence.

When you receive the Body of Christ, you say "Amen!"

When you receive the Blood of Christ, you say "Amen!"

When you say Amen, you are saying,"Yes, I believe this is Jesus!"

The time of prayer after receiving Jesus is a very special time.  It is your time with Jesus.  You are as close to him as you can be.  Take the time to thank Him for all the blessing in His life and for coming to you through the Eucharist.  Talk to him about anything.

Don't forget the about the Tabernacle which is the sacred container where the Blessed Sacrament (Jesus) is placed after communion.

The Sanctuary Lamp is red and always is has a flame except on Good Friday when the Tabernacle is empty.  This represents the darkness of sin.

Also don't forget to stop and show respect when you pass the Tabernacle.  If a famous person or the President of the United States were sitting up there, would you just pass by?  No!! 

Don't lose the chance to say hello to Jesus and remember He is always there to listen to you and your concerns.

Blessed be God Forever!