The Eucharist: is it the Body of Christ?

   We could get really theological in talking about the Eucharist, but it is really simple.  When you go up to receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion, the Eucharistic minister says, “Body of Christ”.  To which we respond with, “Amen”.  So, Eucharistic minister declares the Eucharist to be the Body of Christ and we say Amen in agreement.  What is simpler than that?

   With this reality, what does it mean?  It means that God is humble.  Yes, an all-powerful God can be humble just as a body-builder can be humble.  After all, God lowered Himself to becoming human.  God becoming man is one of the greatest acts of humility ever.  Yes, EVER!  But Jesus was not done humbling Himself.  He willingly died a torturous death, lowering Himself to be like the criminals He was saving.  Yes, you and I are those criminals having defied the Divine Law of God.

   But Jesus still was not done.  He lowered Himself to becoming our food.  And why?  So that He could be with us always.  He enters into our bodies and, if we allow Him, into our souls to make us more like Him.  Is it hard to believe?  Yes, but so is God becoming man and so is God dying to save His creatures.  Hard to believe?  Yes.  Beautiful?  Oh, beyond any fairy tale ever told.  Only this fairy tale is real and we can partake of it at every Mass.

   Jesus, You never held anything back, giving us Yourself as an infant, dying a criminal’s death, and feeding us with Your body.  Help us never to dismiss Your great gifts of Yourself to us and help us to give our gifts to You.