Every single time we approach that altar to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we, literally, receive a piece of eternity, because we receive God Himself, the very Bread of Heaven. In essence, we receive the food that makes us eternal. In fact, that is what Jesus means when He says: “whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
Because, we receive Him who not only is this Bread, but became flesh for the life of the world, so that, as St. Paul says elsewhere, we not only receive His death, but His life, for within that Eucharist is the entire Paschal Mystery, within that Eucharist is the very death andlife of Jesus.
In fact, when the priest proclaims the mystery of faith, by separating the Body and Blood, it is a sign of death, but by mingling them together before we receive, he is declaring the Resurrection, because we don’t receive a piece of lifeless bread, but the very Bread of Life.
That is why the Church calls the Eucharist the “source and summit of our lives,” because the pinnacle of our existence in Christ is, indeed, new life in Him. And, not just new life but eternal life, so that our entire lives cannot but be changed in each and every reception of the Eucharist so, that each time we receive Christ, truly, we receive a taste of Heaven and a glimpse of eternity.
That is why, as I prepared for surgery, even though it didn’t happen, I found it very difficult to think about the fact that I wouldn’t be able to celebrate Mass for a couple of months. For, while receiving the Eucharist is one thing, to be able to consecrate bread and wine, to allow the very power of God flow through you, is something I cannot even begin to explain.
For, while, to many, it may seem as if Mass is boring or nothing is really happening, if we could just understand what is occurring upon that altar, we would be overwhelmed by the realization, we would be taken aback knowing that Heaven itself comes down to earth in order to fill mere bread and wine with the very life of God.
And, while it is said often, it is that which we receive, it is that which dwells within our own bodies and sets fire to our souls. For, the Eucharist must become not just a part of our lives, but our entire lives, so that we live for God, with God and in God, knowing that if our souls are prepared, each time we come to receive that Eucharist, indeed, we will receive the consolation of the Cross and the very Bread of Life.
Because, we receive Him who not only is this Bread, but became flesh for the life of the world, so that, as St. Paul says elsewhere, we not only receive His death, but His life, for within that Eucharist is the entire Paschal Mystery, within that Eucharist is the very death andlife of Jesus.
In fact, when the priest proclaims the mystery of faith, by separating the Body and Blood, it is a sign of death, but by mingling them together before we receive, he is declaring the Resurrection, because we don’t receive a piece of lifeless bread, but the very Bread of Life.
That is why the Church calls the Eucharist the “source and summit of our lives,” because the pinnacle of our existence in Christ is, indeed, new life in Him. And, not just new life but eternal life, so that our entire lives cannot but be changed in each and every reception of the Eucharist so, that each time we receive Christ, truly, we receive a taste of Heaven and a glimpse of eternity.
That is why, as I prepared for surgery, even though it didn’t happen, I found it very difficult to think about the fact that I wouldn’t be able to celebrate Mass for a couple of months. For, while receiving the Eucharist is one thing, to be able to consecrate bread and wine, to allow the very power of God flow through you, is something I cannot even begin to explain.
For, while, to many, it may seem as if Mass is boring or nothing is really happening, if we could just understand what is occurring upon that altar, we would be overwhelmed by the realization, we would be taken aback knowing that Heaven itself comes down to earth in order to fill mere bread and wine with the very life of God.
And, while it is said often, it is that which we receive, it is that which dwells within our own bodies and sets fire to our souls. For, the Eucharist must become not just a part of our lives, but our entire lives, so that we live for God, with God and in God, knowing that if our souls are prepared, each time we come to receive that Eucharist, indeed, we will receive the consolation of the Cross and the very Bread of Life.
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