“This IS My Body”

St. Matthew 26.26

Do You Really Believe?

(PS: you absolutely must!)

Do you really believe that Jesus Christ Himself, real and entire, is in the Holy Eucharist, in the Holy Communion you receive?

Would you stake your life on it — because if you would not — you do not.

The Holy Eucharist, the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is really and truly, the Body, the Blood, the Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ Himself — under the appearances of mere bread and wine.

The moment the Priest utters these words, “this is My Body” — the bread, while appearing to remain just bread, becomes — in fact — the Body of Jesus Christ  ... every bit as real and present as if you could see Him standing before you with your waking eyes!

The moment the Priest utters these words, “this is My Blood” — the wine, while appearing to remain just wine, becomes — in fact  — the Blood of Jesus Christ  —  every bit as real, every bit as present, as if He were standing before you ... because He is!

The Holy Eucharist is not a symbol.

It is not a mere commemoration.

It is not merely a communal meal, although many appear to make it so:
 

It is Jesus Christ

The Church has taught this from the beginning — for over 2000 years ... because Jesus taught it to the Church at the Last Supper.

Again, I ask you: Do you really believe?

Next time you go to Communion, ask yourself this one question:
 

“If today — if this once — I could really and truly see Him with my eyes — would I behave any differently from the way I do when I receive Him in Holy Communion?”
 

If you answer, “yes” — what would you do?

Even were you the only one to see Him, you would care nothing of appearing to make a fool of yourself  ... you would fall to your knees. You know it!

If you answer, “no” (remember, seeing Him with your waking eyes!), then you are a fool and more than a fool, for even a fool would not be insolent before God.

Now ask yourself — from the depths of your being: “Do I really believe”?

Do not worry about setting precedents. Judas put his lips to Our Blessed Lord 2000 years ago ... “on the night he betrayed him.” You cannot do worse, although you could choose to do far better ...

I do not presume to admonish you — St. Paul does:

“Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord ... For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.” (I Corinthians 11.27-29)

The question, then, still stands after all ... doesn’t it?

Editor
Boston Catholic Journal

   Printable PDF Version

Comments? Write us:  editor@boston-catholic-journal.com