A Reflection on the Gift of the Eucharist
In 2022 the United States Bishops Conference (USCCB) called for a eucharistic revival to be held around the country. It was called after alarming research had shown that our church is hurting and that approximately only 31% of our brothers and sisters in the faith really believe in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. These numbers are astounding because our whole Catholic faith is bound together in the sacraments, most especially the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian faith. Everything in the life of the church is bound together by this everlasting gift that Jesus left us, that is the gift of His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharistic species.
Our bishops have called us to come together and unite behind this initiative and to reinvigorate our faith in the Holy Eucharist. The revival is comprised of a three-year period of education and formation on the awesome power of Jesus in the Eucharist. We are just about to conclude the first year of the revival which was the Diocesan phase. This second year is about to begin on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi during the weekend of June 10-11. This year will the parish phase and is designed to foster a greater devotion to the eucharist within the local parish setting.
Why is it so important for us as Catholics to get behind this initiative? Because as it was earlier stated the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. In the Gospel, Jesus himself tells us that “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51).
It is important for us as Catholics to understand that Christ left us this unfathomable gift first as a memorial of his passion and redemptive suffering, and secondly as a means for him to remain with the church throughout the ages: “For behold I am with you always, until the end of the age” (MT 28:20).
The great Dominican and Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us in his work (Summa Theologiae III, 73) that the sacrament is known by many names, and these have a triple significance in the life of the church. First it refers to a past event, which is that of the Lord’s passion, therefore its preeminent name is a sacrifice. It is the enteral and unbloody sacrifice of the cross. Second, it is a present reality: In the sacrament Christ is truly and substantially present. It is through this presence that Christ brings about unity. It is for this reason the sacrament is called communion. Through this holy communion the entire church is united in faith with her master, who is Christ the Lord. Lastly, … Continue reading...
