Holy Eucharist
It
can doubtlessly be said that the central sacrament of the Church is Holy
Eucharist. It is the sacrament of sacraments. It was established by Christ
Himself: "When it was evening," Jesus "took bread, and blessed,
and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, `Take, eat; this is My
body, broken on behalf of all for the forgiveness of sins,' and "He took
the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, `Drink of it,
all of you; for this is My blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many
for the forgiveness of sins.'" Christ added, "Do this in remembrance
of Me" (Matthew, 26:20-9; Mark, 14:17-25; Luke, 22:14-38; John, 6:27-69; 1
Corinthians, 11:23-26).
From
these words of Christ we see that the Holy Eucharist is truly the body and
blood of Christ. It is not a symbol. It is truly the body and truly the blood
of Christ. Christ did not say that "this symbolizes My body" and
"this symbolizes My blood." He said, "this is My body" and
"this is My blood." Of course, even after the celebration of the Holy
Eucharist, all we see with our human eyes is bread and wine. Even the taste on
our tongues is that of bread and wine. In reality and in essence, though, that
which we see and that which we taste is truly the body and blood of Christ. How
does this happen? How does this change occur? No one can say. It is done in a
mysterious way with the intervention of the Holy Spirit. As the celebrant says:
"And make this bread the precious Body of Your Christ, and that which is
in this cup the precious Blood of Your Christ."
Therefore,
from the above words of Christ we see that this sacrament was established by
Christ "for the forgiveness of sins." The main purpose of the
sacrament then is the forgiveness of man's sins. Along with the forgiveness,
though, come the sanctification and glory, eternal life. This is why when the
celebrant gives Holy Communion, he says to each person: "the Body and
Blood of Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins and life eternal."
Even
from the words of Christ it appears that this sacrament of Holy Eucharist is
preeminently the sealing of the New Covenant between God and man. It is the
testament of reconciliation and friendship.
Beyond
the above statements, the very words of Christ reveal that this sacrament has
to be repeated "in remembrance" of Christ, of His incarnation,
sacrifice on the cross, burial, resurrection, and of His ascension into Heaven
to be seated at the right hand of the Father, and His second glorious coming.
In
other places in Holy Scripture, Christ has assured us that His Body is
"truly food" and His Blood is "truly drink." Moreover, this
is shown by the fearsome saying that "whoever does not eat My body and
does not drink My blood, has no life in him." This proves that the Holy
Eucharist is the spiritual nourishment of man. Just as man cannot live without
natural nourishment, so neither can he live without spiritual nourishment--the
body and blood of Christ--without Holy Eucharist. Christ makes this very clear.
He says that "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His
blood, you have no life in you; he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has
eternal life" (John, 6:53-54).
Holy
Eucharist unites man with God. It deifies him. Since man unites with God, he
also unites with other people. St. Paul says that "because there is one
bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the One Bread"
(1 Corinthians, 10:17). This unifying of the people among themselves into one
body is like the unity of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit.
We
could say that the fruits of Holy Eucharist are the following: forgiveness of
sins, cleansing, sanctification, justification, unity with God and with each
other, spirituality, eternal life, glory, theosis.
In
order for man to have all the fruits and benefits of the Holy Eucharist, he
needs first to partake of it often. How often? Every time he attends the Divine
Liturgy; and secondly, he needs to "approach with the fear of God, faith,
and with love." In other words, to approach worthily, with reverence and
faith in God, and with total love towards God and man.
Holy
Eucharist is celebrated in the Church, but it can be celebrated in an open
space or anywhere for that matter in times of necessity. It can be celebrated
once per day. It is performed during the Divine Liturgy. Bread and wine are
offered. This bread and wine are sanctified and, though they are physical
substances, through the intervention of the Holy Spirit they are transformed
into spiritual things--into the body and blood of Christ. God created, out of
nothing, the visible (physical) and invisible (spiritual) world. From physical
things--bread and wine--He makes the body and blood of Christ.
O God, how much amazement
and delight we receive from Your great deeds. Your deeds are unfathomable, and
Your wonders are incomprehensible. The way of our salvation is impossible for
our limited minds to understand. I gaze with wonder and fear at the mystery of
mysteries, the Holy Eucharist. We approach with faith and with love, yet we are
unworthy. Make us worthy of this great gift. Do not allow us to partake
"in judgment or condemnation" but for cleansing and sanctification,
for forgiveness of sins, for glory and holy communion, and for life eternal. We
thank You. O Lord, "Abide in us."