Daily Reflections ...

On Palm Sunday, we have readings that are surprising for those who have not been long in our tradition. Instead of the account of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we have a narration of the Last Supper, betrayal, trial and crucifixion of Christ. As for the text describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, it is read during the procession, which occurs before the start of Mass and before the congregation enters into the church building. This is to help us see how Christ, symbolised by the priest, enters into the Church, a symbol of Jerusalem. 

There are many things to say about today’s reading, but let’s focus on the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life, and why it is so central to Catholic worship.

I have a photo of my wife on my phone as the screen saver. Whenever I see this photo, I am reminded of what a blessing she is to me. The photo is a signpost – it points me to her. Though I see her image in the photo, it’s not actually her. It’s a photo of her. Whilst I love to see pictures of my wife on my phone, I’d much prefer to be with her than to just gaze at a photo of her. I can hold her, laugh with her, and experience her real presence when I’m with her.

The difference between seeing the Eucharist as really Christ or just a symbol is much the same. If the bread and wine are just symbolic – like a photo – then whenever we see this symbol, we are reminded of what a blessing Christ is to us. Whilst this can encourage our faith and be meaningful, it’s completely different to how we respond if it is literally Christ’s body and blood. I’d much prefer to be with Christ than just to be reminded of him. When I’m with Christ, I can adore him, speak with him and experience his real presence. I can partake of his body and blood so that it is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me.

Of course, we can see that the Eucharist is far more important if it is literally Christ’s body and blood, but many Christian traditions do not agree, so is this true? Why believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist?

To establish that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Jesus and not merely a symbol of it, we begin with scripture. John 6 states: “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.” If Jesus was only speaking metaphorically, why did he allow the crowd to leave because it was a ‘hard teaching’? Moreover, how can anyone do what Jesus is asking if the bread and wine in communion do not mysteriously and miraculously become Christ’s body and blood? St. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”

In today’s gospel, we find Jesus saying, “do this as a memorial of me?” Why would we have to remember Christ if he was really present? There are several ways to understand Jesus words. One way is to understand the concept of ‘memorial’ or remembering as making the thing ‘remembered’ present. But given that this all takes place in the middle of the Passover, which was the central feast for the Jews, the context can help us.

At the celebration of the Passover, the Jews remembered what God had done in saving Israel from slavery in Egypt, but they ate a real lamb without blemish. In the Eucharist, we remember Christ saving us from sin on the cross and partake of the lamb without blemish – Christ. The Last Supper and the whole paschal mystery is brought into the present at every Mass, so we are joining with all the faithful across time and space in this joyful celebration of salvation. This is further supported by the fact the Jesus held the bread and wine and said, ‘this is my body’ and ‘this is my blood’. 

Beyond scripture, the 1st century martyr Ignatius of Antioch wrote “[some] abstain from the Eucharist because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our saviour Jesus Christ.” In the 2nd century, Justin Martyr wrote: “This food is known among us as the Eucharist. We do not receive these things as common bread and common drink but as Jesus Christ our saviour being made flesh by the word of God.” While St Cyril of Jerusalem in the 4th century said, “Since then he has declared and said of the bread ‘this is my body.’ Who after that will venture to doubt? And since he has affirmed that ‘this is my blood’ who will raise a question and say it is not His blood?”

How is such a doctrine believable when the bread doesn’t literally turn into flesh? The Church teaches us that, at the words of consecration, the bread changes substance and becomes Christ but remains in the same form. To use a coarse illustration, it’s like saving your life’s photos on a USB stick. The USB stick still looks the same, it has the same form, but the substance has changed.

If Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, then it only makes sense that everything in the Mass would point to the Eucharist. This is the miracle that takes place at every Mass. The bread and wine become Jesus body and blood. Jesus took a loaf of bread, broke it and said, ‘This is my body.’ We believe him.

Holy Spirit, grant us the eyes to see the miracle that takes place in every Mass and the desire to be with Jesus and receive him.

by Dcn Peter Pellicaan