A lot has been written on the Body and Blood of Christ, and it is for a good reason—our life depends on it! The Eucharist, as the Church teaches, is the source and summit of the Christian faith. As perennial as this understanding is, the need to constantly reflect on the depth of the mystery and uniqueness of the gift of God remains constant.
Today’s solemnity has several facets. Let us focus on three areas.
God Present to Us
First, the Body and Blood of Christ is how God chooses to be present to us. While it is not the only way, it is definitely the most powerful way. What could be better than God becoming human to identify with our wretchedness plagued by Satan and sin in order to lift us out of it, placing us by His side? The Body and Blood of Christ is the loudest scream by God, “I LOVE YOU,” to humanity.
Nourishing and Sustaining Supernatural Food
Second, in addition to God’s undeniable presence among us, He provides us with supernatural food that not only sustains, but nourishes our spiritual life. The Holy Eucharist is not an afterthought. The relationship between God and humanity has always been sustained by divine provision. The new covenant presents the pinnacle of divine providence in the mystery and reality of the incarnation of Christ and in the giving of His Body and Blood for our spiritual sustenance. However, the Holy Eucharist is not merely a meal (1 Cor. 11:34). It is a sacrificial meal (1 Cor. 5:7-8). We are being saved as we partake in the nourishing sacrificial meal of the Holy Eucharist (John 6:53).
Covenant with God
Third, in and through the Body and Blood of Christ, we share in the perfect and unbreakable covenant God made with humanity. In the past, animal blood was used to ratify divine covenants. But the perfect blood of Christ, which he offers us, is eternal redemption of God’s plan for humanity (Hebrews 9). A covenant is made on an altar. An altar is the meeting point between heaven and earth. Our altar is constantly renewed as often as the sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated. Every altar takes its efficacy from the holy altar of sacrifice. This also means that the altar of our souls attracts God because we are active recipients, participants, and people who give thanks for the perfect gift of God to us.
May the Blessing of the Body and Blood of Christ remain with us and lead us to eternal life with God. Amen!
[Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrew 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26]
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