“One of the most admirable effects of Holy Communion is to preserve the soul from sin, and to help those who fall through weakness to rise again. It is much more profitable, then, to approach this divine Sacrament with love, respect, and confidence, than to remain away through an excess of fear and scrupulosity.” ~ St. Ignatius of Loyola
When we receive Holy Communion, we receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. I cannot think of any more profound statement or any greater gift than that. Just as we eat daily meals to nourish our bodies and sustain our lives, the reception of Holy Communion nourishes our soul, sustains our holiness, and gives us the wherewithal that we need to refrain from sin.
It saddens me to know that there are those who have no real regard for the Eucharist. There are those who do not even believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus. The most that they may accept is that it is a symbol of Jesus at the Last Supper but that it is merely bread and wine.
We believe in that great mystery of transubstantiation. We believe that, at the consecration of the Mass, the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. In the past, there have been several Eucharistic miracles that have proven that very fact. Unknown to examiners, pieces of consecrated hosts had been delivered for study and the results have come back as heart tissue or human flesh.
If we believe that God is all-powerful and can do whatever He wants, why do some people have trouble believing that He can change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ? It is never wise to “draw a line” in our belief. We believe that God became man in the Incarnation. We believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead. But we draw the line on the Eucharist? It makes no sense.
This day, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we celebrate our Lord in the Eucharist and we draw close to Him and receive Him in that precious sacrament. Receiving Him, we become a temple for Him. The reception of the Eucharist should make us more aware of God’s love for us and our need to clean our temple up.
Reception of the Eucharist often prompts us to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we can be a more worthy vessel for the Lord. Do all that you can to appreciate the Lord’s great gift to you and bring Him into the world by the manner in which you live your life.
FAITH ACTION: Render the Lord the praise that is His due when you receive the Eucharist.