The Eucharist
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22.19)
The Eucharist is a sacrament that has been celebrated by Christians for over 2,000 years in a form that has not changed despite the great diversity of times and liturgies. It is a way of remembering the Lord’s sacrifice and offering thanksgiving and praise to the Father.
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By celebrating the Eucharist, we offer to God what he has given us: bread and wine which have become the body and blood of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of Christ. This makes Christ really and mysteriously present among us.
The Last Supper - Leornado da Vinci
c. 1495 -1498 - Santa Maria del Grazie, Milan
Public Domain
The Eucharist is a central part of Catholic worship. It is celebrated during Mass, which is the most important act of worship in the Catholic Church. During Mass, we hear readings from the Bible, sing hymns, and offer prayers. The highlight of Mass is the Eucharistic Prayer, which is when the bread and wine are consecrated and become the body and blood of Christ.
The Eucharist is also known as Holy Communion because it is a way for us to be in communion with God and with each other. When we receive Holy Communion, we are united with Christ and with our fellow Catholics around the world.
The Eucharist is a beautiful sacrament that brings us closer to God and to each other. It reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice for us and his love for us. It is a way for us to give thanks to God for all that he has given us and to receive his grace.
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Imagine if someone you admire greatly came to your house one day and said, “I would like to stay here with you, and what is mine is yours?” You would probably be overjoyed at the prospect of spending time with them and sharing in their life.
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Well, believe it or not, something similar has happened to all of us. God himself has taken on human nature and wants to stay with us. “...the mystery of our religion is very deep indeed: He was made visible in the flesh…” (1 Timothy 3:16). Jesus wants to give us his very self.
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We know how we would respond to a celebrity who wanted to spend time with us.
But what about God the Son, who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6)? Jesus came to invite us to the heavenly Liturgy - “Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb”. (Revelation 19:9). Jesus wants to stay with us, body, blood, soul and divinity. “And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time." (Matthew 28:20). He wants to share his wealth with us. He wants us to be so united with him that we can consume him.
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The Eucharist is a past event made really present, as a sign of future glory.