THE EUCHARIST: LEST WE FORGET

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi, St. Paul reminds us that what we have is something that he received and in turn passed on to us. He writes, ‘Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you; that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. ‘For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes’ (cf 1 Cor 11:23-26). Our Blessed Lord insists that the people be made to sit down before he took and blessed the bread with which he fed them through his disciples (cf Lk 9:11b-17).

Beloved people of God, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, is not merely the bread and wine that Melchizedek king of Salem and priest of the God Most High brought out before he blessed Abram (cf. Gn 14:18-20). We must remember, lest we forget, this is Bread from Heaven. It is Food of the angels. It is a banquet prepared through immolation, a sacrifice of self-giving, made because of love for his beloved people, and generously given. It is something that must be handed on to every generation as a memorial of the Lord’s death and resurrection and must continue until the Lord comes.

We adore the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – the Most Holy Eucharist – Jesus Christ in his Divinity and Humanity. We praise this sacrifice of love. We approach this holy banquet with reverence and awe, for it ought to be received prayerfully, gracefully, humbly, and gratefully.

                                                                          Fr. Ted