Flannery O’Connor, a renowned Catholic author, tells the story of a Protestant friend who started going to Mass with her. After doing this for several months, her friend decided to become a Catholic. When asked why, she replied, “Well, the sermons were so horrible, I knew there had to be something else that made those people want to come to Mass.”
And that something else is the Eucharist. For most Protestants, receiving communion is not a common part of their worship but for us Catholics, the Eucharist is the very center of our worship. Since the Last Supper, the Eucharist has always been a powerful symbol for most Catholics but its much more than a mere symbol. As Flannery O’Connor also said, “If it is only a symbol, to heck with it.”
The Eucharist draws us together because we know and believe that it is much more than a symbol. How else can we explain that over the centuries, the Eucharist continues to provide strength to Catholic communities everywhere?
Consider the diversity of the ages, professions, interests, wealth, backgrounds, and ethnic groups that make up most Catholic parishes. The common interest that gathers us together at Mass certainly isn’t always the personality of the celebrant or the quality of the music. What draws us consistently to the celebration of the Mass is the power of Jesus Christ who is truly present in the Eucharist.
To limit our perception of the Eucharist to only being a symbol of Christ is to risk focusing on the physical elements of bread and wine and overlooking what Paul reminds us of in his letter to the Corinthians. If you think of Eucharist as only a bit of unleavened bread and a sip of wine, then you are missing the profound truth that Jesus Christ has once again entered our lives in a very profound way.
From the very beginning, the Eucharist has been celebrated in the setting of a meal, much like a potluck dinner. Before church buildings existed, the faithful often gathered in the home a wealthy member who had a large house.
St. Paul wrote his letter to reprimand the community at Corinth for losing sight of what the Eucharistic celebration was all about. Their meals had become drunken orgies for the wealthier members of the community while the poorer members, who would arrive late from work, either were not fed or found little food left. The conduct of the wealthier members, according to Paul, reflected a lack of appreciation for the body of Christ. I would compare the plight of the poor members to the service given to those who are crammed into the coach section of any flight in contrast to those relaxing in first class.
In calling his readers back to an authentic understanding of the Eucharist, Paul restates the Eucharistic tradition of the Church. Notice what he said, “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” Written less than thirty years after the Last Supper took place, Paul reminded them and us that the Eucharist had already become important to the Christian community because of what Jesus had said that night.
The passage from Paul is short and to the point yet it contains truths that are central to our faith and our worship. The Eucharist is for us a real sacrifice celebrated in the setting of a meal in thanksgiving for the unconditional love that Jesus has for us, dying on the cross for our sake.
Much of our attitude toward the Eucharist depends on what we believe. The core of our belief is that bread and wine, when consecrated, become for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Not symbols, as many other Christians believe, but truly his real presence. As the Catechism points out, “Under the consecrated species of bread and wine, Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: his Body and his Blood, with his soul and divinity.” (CCC1413)
To the skeptic who doubts that, I would say, If out of nothing, God has created all that there is from the ants in our yards to the most distant stars, who are we to limit what God can do?
This weekend three men were ordained as priests. In that sacrament, they were, as I was 33 years ago, transformed. Now empowered by God with a special character, they will act in the person of Christ when they celebrate their first Masses. Following in the tradition of Melchizedek, they will transform the gifts of bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. In contrast to any other foods we consume, the Eucharist has the potential to transform the lives of those who receive it with faith. But first we must believe in this transformation as a mystery of faith.
More than once I have heard of Catholics who had left the Church for any number of reasons, but later returned once they found themselves hungering for the Eucharist. Years ago, I heard about one man who left as a teenager and even worked as a Protestant minister for 12 years. Once he came to believe that the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ are truly, really present in the Eucharist, he returned to the Church.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 1600 years ago, said, “Don’t judge the reality by what you see and touch and taste. Judge instead by your unwavering faith.” Before that, St. Augustine said, “Faith opens the door to understanding. Unbelief closes it.”
Cherish the host and its meaning will come to life in you.