We can argue that the Eucharist is a mystery. But what is the source of the Churchs teaching about the Holy Eucharist. We cannot see any sign of Jesus presence in the Holy Eucharist with our external eyes. Furthermore, the presence of Christ in the Eucharist is not something that can be discerned by scientific or physical examination. Instead it can only be realized through the eyes of faith. Here I am going to decipher more on the divine revelation as found in the sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel.
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In John 6:55-56, Jesus clearly stated that, “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” It was very specific on the explanatory the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist as St. John stated it in his Gospel. The Catholic Church has always taken Jesus at His word, which is why the Holy Eucharist is defined as the ‘real body and blood’ of Christ in the Eucharist. Thus, Jesus Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist and is the core of the life of the Church. One can say that the breaking of the bread tradition has undergone changes through centuries, but the faith behind this has not been changed because we strongly believe the Real Present of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus is present in the Eucharist so that the people may experience that God loves them. Barton argues that God the Father sent Jesus Christ the spiritual food so that we may enjoy the love of God and “when we view him as giving his flesh to eat, it is by the precious bounty of his own love towards us.” The USCCB also confirm the same teaching that the “Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist as spiritual nourishment because he loves.” Furthermore, the Vatican II Constitution on Sacred Liturgy also explains the Real Present of Christ in the Holy Eucharist as Christ is present in the Church. Particularly Christ is present when the Church prays and performs the work of mercy. The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist enlightens our hope and strength by its mysterious power and our faith. It is the sign of His grace for us. He revealed himself in the Holy Eucharist so that we may share the banquet with God.
When the priests celebrate the Eucharist, we remember the Real Presence of Christ in our midst. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that, “The command of Jesus to repeat his actions and words ‘until he comes’ does not only ask us to remember Jesus and what he did. It is directed at the liturgical celebration, by the apostles and their successors, of the memorial of Christ, of his life, of his death, of his Resurrection, and of his intercession in the presence of the Father” (1341).
In a pastoral response: the fact is that Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist avails much. If there is no avail, then the Son of God incarnated for no reason, He died for no reason, and He rose from the dead for no reason. The presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist profits us more than anyone thing else in the world. It gives us the meaning to our Christian life. In short, the mystery of the Holy Eucharist leads us to the intimate relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. And finally, the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist enlightens our hope and faith in our Christian life. With this, our faith becomes stronger and stronger every day.
In how many ways is Jesus really present in the liturgy?
The Vatican II Constitution on Sacred Liturgy stated that there are six ways Jesus really present in the liturgy: “there is also a real presence of Christ in the ministry of the word, there is a real presence of Christ in the liturgical assembly, there is a real presence of Christ in the priest in liturgical service, there is a real presence of Christ in the souls of the just, there is a real presence of Christ in the sacraments, and finally, there is a real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.”
There is the proclamation of the word of God that is a source of communion and it proclaims the arrival of God’s reign. That is to say, the real presence of Christ is in the ministry of the word. It is the daily experience of the church whenever she proclaims the presence of the Lord by adoration publicly and privately. As Lash says, “He is present in his word, since it is he himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church.”
Christ is amidst when there are two or three assembled in His name (Matthew 18:20). In this communion, the congregation gives thanks and praise for the wonderful works of God and all the blessings and graces that Christ has for us. The communion calls all the people to share a life that is divine as well as God invites all the people to share the divine life of His Son. We come to make present and to remember the memory of Christ our Lord in our midst. We come to acknowledge the genuine presence of Christ, fully human and divine, in this communion. In addition, we are also called to recognize his presence, not only in the communion, but also in the just soul.
By the sacramental consecration, the priest is configured to Jesus Christ as head and shepherd of the church. He is endowed with a spiritual power which is shared in the authority with Jesus Christ. In his Encyclical letter on the Eucharist, Pope John Paul writes regarding the identification of the priest to Christ, “the ministerial priest acting in the person of Christ brings about the Eucharist Sacrifice.” Therefore, the church accepts that the ministerial priesthood is apostolic and empowered by Jesus Christ to go out into the world and to sanctify all.
During the liturgy, there is also the presence of Christ in other sacraments. In short, the presence of Christ is in all seven sacraments: Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Order, and the Sacrament of Penance. For this reason, Christ instituted and entrusted this sacraments to the Church.
Finally, there is a real presence of Christ in the form of bread and wine. In the Eucharist, Christ is present in the fullness of His being. The USCCB says, “the whole Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine-the glorified Christ who rose from the dead after dying for our sins.” The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist comes about through transubstantiation. The bread and wine remain as it is, but the substance changes. In short, Christ will to be present in the bread and wine. It is a work of God that make the bread and wine become His own food.
Criteria for Assessment
Regarding to my answers, I believe that I accurately and appropriately explained my answers. In this paper, I also included pastoral and theological responses in a responsible way. Most of all, I used different sources to support my answers as much as possible. I strongly believe that with the assessment requirements I have fulfilled in answering all the need. GOD BLESS AND HAVE A GOOD DAY!
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