Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 11th 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 1419.

Saint Thomas Aquinas’ prayer O Sacrum Convivium finds it’s way not only as the Magnificat Antiphon of Second Vespers of Corpus Christi, but also in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, 47, of the Second Vatican Council, as well as here in the Catechism at least by allusion. It is good to consider it anew, in four (4) parts.

First, the Eucharistic banquet is a pledge of glory. The Lord Jesus is the Lord of glory and He is present in the Eucharist (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18–19; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 2:14; Jude 1:24). The Hebrew term yah-yin and the Greek term dokh-ay are often translated as either banquet or feast (cf. Song of Songs 2:4; Esther 7:2; Luke 5:29; 14:12–24). The Eucharist is all the more so both banquet and feast in which that which is eaten is God Himself.

Second, our participation in the Holy Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass identifies us with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Hebrew term lebh and the Greek term kardia refer not only to the physiological organ which pumps blood throughout the living being, but also the emotions such as anger, courage, fear, hatred, joy, love, sorrow and the like as well as the person (cf. Deuteronomy 19:6; Psalm 4:7; 13:2; 27:14; 1 Samuel 25:37…). Of course, in Christ Jesus, true God and true man, these are all perfectly ordered. In the case of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity is not only represented but He feeds us with His very self in Holy Communion. We gaze upon the Sacred Host lifted high above the altar remembering the blood and water which flowed from Christ’s pierced side as we adore and receive the living, glorious, risen Lord as our holy food which makes us His holy people when well received (cf. John 19:33–37).

Third, the Eucharist gives us strength for the pilgrimage of our life to Heaven. The Prophet Elias was strengthened by God’s food for the journey (cf. 1 Kings 19:4–8). When we well receive Holy Communion we too are strengthened for the journey of faith lived out day by day until the Lord calls us to render an account or He returns in glory (cf. Matthew 12:36; John 5:22, 30; 8:16; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Romans 2:16; 14:12; 2 Timothy 4:1; James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:5; Hebrews 10:30).

Finally, the Eucharist unites us to the Church in Heaven, with the Holy Virgin Mary and all the Saints. This is because when we receive Holy Communion, the Lord Jesus whom we receive is the same Lord Jesus who is now at the Father’s right hand on high, adored by all of the Saints, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr