Body and Blood of Christ

At St. Meinrad, where I went to seminary, the eucharistic bread was made by the monks.  These were round unleavened loaves, which were think and chewy.  The wine also was the monks own vintage, perfected from the monastery's own vineyards.  In mentioning this to people there is sometimes an audible gasp.  We are so used the round wafers that 'bread-like' loaves seems shocking.

And yet the entire idea of the Eucharist is to "Take and Eat," and to "Take and Drink."  This is real food and drink which becomes for us, in reality, the Body and Blood of Christ.  In both the Acts of the Apostles, and in St. Paul's letters, there is an understanding of the sacredness of this meal.  The early Church seemed to appreciate the fact that this was a sacred action in which the participants entered the mystery of the Paschal sacrifice.  This seems to be evident in Paul's admonishments as to what behaviour is expected around the Eucharist, and in the fact the Eucharist was celebrated whenever a new ministry was begun, or a decision was to be made.

John Paul II had a great devotion to the Eucharist and encouraged a greater love of, and prayers associated, to the Eucharist.  Rituals and devotions such as a holy hour and benediction had not been celebrated as often as it once had.  These rites are a great source of meditation and reflection on this food from heaven.  But most importantly for the life of the catholic, the Mass which is celebrated daily is the springboard which leads us into our daily life.  The Vatican II has often referred to the celebration of the Eucharist as the "source and summit" of our Church's life.  To be sure the Eucharist is a memorial which Christ leaves us to offer us the strength and courage to go about our mission activity.

I have often used the analogy of Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, when speaking of the Mass.  It is here we have a wide assortment of family members gathering together, sharing stories, and most importantly eating.  At Mass too we come together with all of our faults and foibles, listening to our faith story, and eating and drinking.  We go home from Thanksgiving strengthened in our identity; as we are sent out of Mass recalling the Paschal mystery, ready to do Church.

The feast we celebrate today is about the core of our being.  We are called together through baptism and confirmation, and affirmed by being invited around this sacred table.  Then we are fed and nourished for our journey of faith.  The Body and Blood of Christ is comfort food in that it becomes a holy embrace, and is a challenge in that it asks us to be poured out as well.

By consuming the Body and Blood of Jesus we affirm that we are members of his Body.  We understand that we do not walk alone but he is with us to nurture and nourish us.  Just as Jesus became one with us, this Eucharist asks that we become one with him.