Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is one of the Sacraments of initiation. It is the sacrifice Jesus performed and instituted at the last supper for the final time before entering into his passion, suffering, death and resurrection. In the holy Eucharist bread and wine is consecrated and offered to the Father at the altar. Through the act of consecration, simple bread and wine are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ in which Christ is contained, offered and received.
When Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist he took the bread and broke it, and giving it to his apostles, and said: “Take and eat, this is my body,” then He took cup filled with wine, blessed it, and giving it to them he said: take this all of you and drink from it, for this is my blood of the New covenant, which is being shed for the forgiveness of sins,” and finally the commissioned his disciples saying: “Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist Christ is really, truly and substantially present. 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 priest. Therefore only an ordained priest has the power of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. When they consecrate the bread and wine they act in the person of Christ (Persona Christi), through the power received in the sacrament of Holy Orders.
Euchastic is an act of thanksgiving. therefore it is also a sacrament of thanksgiving. The Word “Eucharist” means “Thanksgiving”. The Holy Eucharist is also known as: the sacrament of Holy Communion, Sacrament of thanksgiving, the Lord’s Supper, or the Sacrament of Community.
Every Baptized Catholic after their first Holy Communion should receive the Holy Eucharist in a worthy manner. The benefit of receiving the Holy Communion has an abiding relationship with Christ. Because, He said: “He who eats My Flesh, and drinks My Blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:56). It also gives eternal life: “Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life and I will rise him up at the last day. He who eats this Bread will live forever” (John 6:54, 58). It provides spiritual growth, perfection and life in Jesus. It also remedy to our soul, body and spirit. Communion also brings healing and remission of our sins and eternal life to those who partake of Him.
One must approach the Holy Communion in the state of worthiness, reconciling with the Lord and with one another. Therefore if one thinks he or she has a mortal sin should, he/she should first go and receive the ‘Sacrament of Reconciliation’ and then receive the Holy Communion. As St. Paul says: “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that Bread drink that Cup” (1 Corinthians 11:24).