First Eucharist

Today we have some forty children receiving the Eucharist for the very first time.  Now I used to be with a pastor who referred to this day as the "magic moment," considering that this would be the first time since baptism that many had been in church.  More over some of these families will not be seen until confirmation.  But with all of this doom and gloom aside, the apostles continued to misunderstand and misconstrue the works and words of Jesus.

But what we are dealing with is the Body and Blood of Christ.  When we speak about the Eucharist as being a symbol it is not a matter of being 'like' the Body of Christ, but in actuality is the Body of Christ.  The theology behind this awesome sacrament is that through the hands of the priest, simple bread and wine is offered up, and the spirit descends upon the elements,  which in turn are the Body and Blood of Christ.  The bread and wine are not 'blessed,' as I would bless a scapular or water, but are consecrated.  The elements become changed.

Pope Pius X was insistent in the frequent reception of the Eucharist, as well as the receiving this sacrament at a younger age.  Prior to this time the Eucharist was received once a year at most, and usually one was 8-10 years of age before first communion.  Pius realized that such an important part of our sacramental and spiritual life should not be reserved exclusively for adoration, but needed to be received on a regular basis.  St Paul often writes about the Eucharist as an action of sharing, eating and drinking.  But Paul also challenges his listeners to take the Eucharist in a worthy manner.

The Second Vatican Council will speak about the liturgy, but especially the Eucharist, as being the source and summit of our faith life.  More so the saw all of the ministries of the Church as an extension of the Eucharist.  The vision of Vatican II was that the Eucharist might be available to all peoples whenever they were to gather for prayer and worship.  But again this would depend upon whether one was spiritually and morally prepared to receive the Body of Christ.  Many hands have been wrung over the fact that we had gone from a time when no one went to communion, to when everyone goes to communion.

Today the Eucharist still is the central identifying factor of catholics.  While it is misunderstood by some, this simple bread and wine becomes the beginning our relationship with God in Christ.  The Body and Blood of Christ beckons our memories to consider the suffering, dying, and rising of Jesus Christ.  The communion we share insists on a community of love and reconciliation.  "Do this in Memory of Me," is not just about the bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood of Christ, but a lifestyle committed to truth and dignity.

These children will go home today to cake, sweet sugary drinks, and Italian beef sandwiches.  The grace and blessing of the Body and Blood of Christ will continue to work in their lives.  It is also the Parish communities responsibility to offer a living witness of what it means to be the body of Christ.  We pray that just as the bread and wine are changed, these children might be transformed into the image of God's Son.