A Diet that Truly Transforms: The Eucharist

Some of you may have noticed that after the Easter season we have a string of important celebrations. We end Easter with Pentecost. Then we celebrate the most Blessed Trinity. Finally, this week we consider the importance of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Corpus Christi. What an amazing faith and tradition we have been given!!

The documents of Vatican 2 describe the Holy Eucharist as the “font and summit” of our faith. This makes sense since we understand the Eucharist as the corporeal Presence of Christ. He is both the beginning and the goal of our spiritual journey. To receive His Body and Blood is to be united with the One that we were created to love. Communion with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament can only be topped by our final complete union with Him in Heaven. As we surrender to the Lord in union with Him, we are transformed into the Body of Christ more and more. In the words of Saint Augustine, we receive what we are and become what we receive. One day that transformation will be complete as we become one with Christ in the Divine Union of Heaven.

Do we actually believe these things? I fear that far too many Catholics do not. Our familiarity with the Mass can distract us from the miraculous power we experience in the Holy Eucharist. Today’s celebration can be an excellent opportunity to renew our faith in and practice of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Every time we approach the altar to receive Christ in the Eucharist, we are given an opportunity to deepen our union and love for Him.

On a personal note, this weekend I am preaching the Eucharistic Mission that I gave here in Flint in Saint John’s Michigan. Please pray for me, and for all who attend the Mission.

Thank you!

Rev Matthew S Bonk