The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (ccc 1324). The Holy Eucharist is not just the what meal at the Last Supper. It actually has to aspect or dimension like a coin which has to sides. The first dimension is 'Meal' dimension (a Sacrament) and the second dimension is the 'Sacrificial' dimension (a Sacrifice). The meal aspect of it reminds of the Last Supper and the sacrificial aspect of reminds us of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Jesus chose the time of Passover to fulfill what he had announced at Capernaum (Christ calls himself the bread of life, come down from heaven, John 6), giving his disciples his Body and his Blood. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper by taking the bread, He blessed and broke it, and giving it to His apostles, said: "Take and eat; this is My body;" then He took a cup of wine, blessed it, and giving it to them, said: "All of you drink of this; for this is My blood of the new covenant which is being shed for many unto the forgiveness of sins;" finally, He gave His apostles the commission: "Do this in remembrance of Me."
When Jesus said, "This is My body," the entire substance of the bread was changed into His body and when He said, "This is My blood," the entire substance of the wine was changed into His blood. Jesus by his omnipotence and by His word we truly believe Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ.
The change of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ continues to be made in the Church by Jesus Christ, through the ministry of His priests. Only ordained priests have the power of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. When they consecrate, they act in the person of Christ, through the power received in the sacrament of Holy Orders.The changing of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ upon consecration is called Transubstantiation. The appearances of bread and wine remains after the substance had been changed into body and blood of Christ. Through our bodily eyes we see the bread and wine as it is but through the eyes of faith, we the real presence of the Lord in the consecrated bread and wine.
"That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that 'cannot be apprehended by the senses,' says St. Thomas, 'but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.' For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 ('This is my body which is given for you.'), St. Cyril says: 'Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'" (ccc 1381)
Our Lord's invitation to us before communion, "Take this and eat it, all of you".
The Lord addresses an invitation to us, urging us to receive him in the sacrament of the Eucharist: "Truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." (ccc 1384)
Our response to the Lord's invitation, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul will be healed."
O Son of God, bring me into communion today
with your mystical supper.
I shall not tell your enemies the secret,
nor kiss you with Judas' kiss.
But like the good thief I cry,
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
~ Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom ~
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