An Amazing Gift

On Holy Thursday we heard the story of how Jesus instituted the Eucharist. And lately the Mass readings have to do with this sacrament. Jesus took some bread and said, “This is my body,” and then he held a cup of wine and claimed, “This is my blood.” Some faith traditions hold that these words were merely symbolic. For some two thousand years, Catholics have taken the words of Jesus at face value. Still, how easily we let our Communions become routine and stale, forgetting what an astounding miracle they are. We might even fail to take advantage of this gift. As St. Augustine wistfully noted, “Christ is the bread, awaiting hunger.”

Because of the Eucharist, Jesus remains with us on earth, we’re able to share in his redeeming sacrifice, and we are united as his mystical body. Beyond that, we are able to actually consume God in the form of bread and wine! At Mass we feast on God. Jesus becomes one with us, divinizing our humanity.

In the words attributed to Saint Teresa of the Andes:

“I eat Jesus. He is my nourishment. I am assimilated by him. What greater happiness is there than this: to hold tightly to our heart the God who is our God! Receive Communion as well and be deeply aware of the One who visits you, infinite love, divine madness; of One who not only became man like ourselves, but who became bread. After you receive Communion, ask Jesus, the God you hold prisoner in your soul, to stay with you throughout the day so that you may love him and give him thanks.”

Prayers to Participate

When the priest raises the paten with the host, we can mentally place ourselves on it too, offering our lives to God the Father.

At the Consecration, when the priest holds up the sacred host, I was taught to say, “My Lord and my God.” These were the words of the apostle Thomas when he acknowledged the true presence of the risen Jesus.

And when the priest holds up the chalice of wine, I was taught to say, “My Jesus, mercy!” For that was the blood that was shed for my sins.

Facts about the Eucharist

Here is a Eucharist IQ Quiz that I use in my workshops on the liturgy. You simply have to tell whether each statement is true or false. The answers are at the end. Don’t peek!

1. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life.
2. The Mass is our highest form of worship.
3. The word Eucharist means “thanksgiving.”
4. Jesus gave us the Eucharist at the Last Supper. He told us to do it in remembrance of him. At Mass we remember his death and resurrection.
5. At Mass the sacrifice Jesus offered at the Last Supper and on Calvary is re-presented.
6. At Mass salvation goes on. Sin is atoned for, and the graces won are poured out on us.
7. At the sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus is both the priest and the offering.
8. At Mass we offer Jesus to the Father with him.
9. At Mass we also offer ourselves to the Father.
10. The sacred bread and wine are truly Jesus. This is called the Real Presence.
11. Jesus is totally present in both the bread and the wine and in every part of each.
12. The change of the bread and wine into Jesus (called transubstantiation) is brought about by the Holy Spirit through the words and actions of the priest.
13. By consuming the food and drink that is Jesus, we become more like him.
14. Jesus is present as long as the substances remain bread and wine.
15. At Communion we are also united with the Mystical Body of Jesus: the Church.
16. At the Eucharist we participate in heaven’s liturgy; angels and saints are present.
17. The Eucharist is a sacrament of initiation. Only Church members can receive it.
18. Bread and wine signify all God’s gifts of creation for which we give thanks.
19. Bread and wine recall the Passover when God saved the chosen people from death by the blood of the lamb.
20. The altar signifies that the Eucharist is a sacrifice and a meal.
21. At Mass we feast at the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist. It anticipates the heavenly feast.
22. When we receive the Eucharist, our sins are forgiven.
23. We prepare for Mass by being free from grave sin and by fasting for an hour
24. We bow before receiving the Eucharist and respond Amen.
25. The Eucharist is a gift of love from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Hopefully you persevered through all twenty-five statements and you eventually realized that all of them were true. Yes, this is a trick quiz. The Eucharist, though, is no trick. Jesus really meant it when he said, “This is my body,” and “I will be with you always.” Isn’t his love for us outrageous? And aren’t we fortunate that we live in this century when we can receive Communion every day if we wish and not just with special permission as in former times!

The first hymn here is quite lovely. If you have a half hour, you might listen to the entire video.

What do you recall about your First Communion?

Which is the most awesome Mass you have attended?

What do you say to Jesus after receiving him in Communion?

What is your favorite Eucharistic hymn?