Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 10th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are fourteen (14) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. The following is a reflection on article 1418.
Blessed John Paul II in his Catechism cites one of his predecessors, Paul VI, who wrote about the Holy Eucharist in his encyclical letter Mysterium Fidei, (3 September, 1965). Five (5) things stand out here.
First, Christ the Lord is present in the Sacrament of the Altar, this is ‘Eucharistic Realism." Jesus Christ is true God and true man who with the Eternal Father holds all of creation in existence. Jesus Christ waited for some nine (9) months hidden in the maternal tabernacle which was Our Lady’s immaculate womb (cf. Luke 1:26–2:14). He who had the power to change water into wine, has the power to change bread and wine into His very self, to become our ‘daily bread’ (cf.. Luke 22:15–19; John 2:1–11; 6:51–56; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25…).
Second, Christ the Lord, present in the Sacrament of the Altar must be honored with a cult of adoration. “Eucharistic Realism” requires that Christ Jesus who is true God and true man, who changes bread and wine into His very self, to become our holy food, is worthy of worship. The phrase ‘cult of adoration’ is technical and at the heart of our faith. The word ‘adore’ derives from the Latin adorare, having at least five (5) meanings: to speak to, to beseech, to entreat, to do homage, to worship. The Latin cultus refers to a specific form of worship. The worship (latria) given to Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, the Holy Eucharist is the same as that which is rightfully directed toward the Father and the Holy Spirit, God the Holy Trinity. Exposition, adoration and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament embody a classic form of wholesome Eucharistic Piety. (Hyperdulia and douleia, the honor, devotion, veneration and respect shown to the Virgin Mary and to the other saints and holy angels respectively is different altogether.)
Third, to visit Christ the Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is a proof of gratitude. When we visit Christ in the tabernacle we come with grateful hearts, thanking Him for the various blessings of the day.
Fourth, to visit Christ the Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is a sign of love. We show our love for Him who laid down His life for love of us by visiting Christ who awaits our visit so as to shower us with His love from the tabernacle.
Finally, to visit Christ the Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is a Christian duty. Even apart from the solemn exposition, adoration and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance, Christ the Lord waits in the tabernacle for us to come visit Him.
Church buildings are open some hours each day to allow our pious visits.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr