The Eucharist and you
EXD 24:3-8/PS 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18/ 2 HEB 9:11-15/ MARK 14:12-16, 22-26
Mark 14:12–16, 22–26 contains the account of the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a meal with his disciples before his betrayal and arrest. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with his soul and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine.
The Eucharist is not a symbol of Christ’s presence, but his actual presence. The Catechism of the Catholic Church strongly asserts the “real presence” of Jesus’ body in the Eucharist. Thus, we are not dealing with a symbol; he gave them his body and blood. The Lord Himself said, ‘This is my body’; not ‘a symbol or foreshadowing of my body’ but’my body,’ and not ‘a foreshadowing of my blood’ but’my blood’, and the Bible says they all ate and were satisfied. Symbol could not have satisfied them. Can the symbol of a car satisfy you as much as the car itself? The symbol takes you nowhere, but the car takes you somewhere.
The first reading speaks of the enactment of the Mosaic Covenant. This is the covenant God established with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after he led them out of Egypt. With it, God supplies the law that is meant to govern and shape the people of Israel in the Promised Land. “I will give you all these blessings if you will obey my law.” Israel said yes to this covenant. They were sprinkled with the blood of a bull to seal this covenant. However, Israel failed, yet the blood of the bull could not gain them absolute purification.
The second reading speaks about the blood of Christ, which purifies us and brings eternal life. This is the New Covenant, which is superior to the Old Covenant. The New Covenant of his blood purifies the heart of man, eliminating the eternal effects of sin and purging the conscience of the guilt and shame that result from sin. A guilty conscience is a terrible weight to carry, but the New Covenant purifies us.
The New Covenant was instituted at the Last Supper, the first Eucharistic celebration. Jesus said in the Gospel of today, “Take; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” This covenant is sealed not by sprinkling but by our participation. Therefore, when we take the body and blood of Jesus Christ, we are in communion with the Divine (1 Cor. 10:16). One who is united with the Divine must keep the terms and conditions of that unity (covenant).
Some are receiving the Eucharist unworthily. To prepare ourselves to receive Holy Communion worthily, “St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: 1Cor.11:29 “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, he eats and drinks judgment upon himself.”Therefore, anyone conscious of a grave sin must go to confession before coming to communion.” (CCC 1385)
There are two ways of preparing in this regard:
1. Remote preparation for Communion includes regular prayer and reading of Scripture, the faithful and loving fulfillment of the daily responsibilities of our state in life, and regular participation in the Sacrament of Penance, including daily repentance of sin by an examination of conscience and recitation of the Act of Contrition.
2. Proximate preparations include our prayerful recollection as we come to Mass and fasting from food and drink for at least one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion as our health and age permit. As a matter of fact, proximate preparation also includes dressing appropriately and modestly.
These ways of preparing culminate in our prayerful and active participation throughout the Eucharistic celebration.
Beloved in Christ, what is our attitude today towards these preparations? How many of us still go for regular confession? Do we go to confession just because we want to receive Holy Communion?
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
