THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2024
THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTER B
Acts 8:26-40
John 6:44-51
BELIEF IN THE REAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST
The church acknowledges the real, bodily and spiritual presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic species. It holds that Jesus in his nature as God and man is present in the Eucharistic mystery. And this belief steams from Jesus’ declaration in the gospel of today to the effect that “the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”
As such the doctrine of transubstantiation is held in the church. That the elements of the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Jesus through the active power of God after the consecration prayer and remains so even after the celebration of the Mass.
So, the Eucharistic mystery has Jesus’ body, soul and divinity present in the appearance of bread and wine. This is a mystery beyond the comprehension of man. And the Church has not stopped proclaiming this mystery. In fact, many miracles of the Eucharistic mystery has been received across the centuries confirming the veracity of this doctrine.
Believing in this mystery is exercise of a great faith in God. It demands concerted effort on our part to read through the scriptures and be able to deduce for ourselves personally what the church teaches and holds so dearly.
The Ethiopian Eunuch becomes a model for us in seeking greater understanding of the divine mysteries in Christ especially the Eucharistic mystery. For this eunuch, he was inquisitive and actually went on pilgrimage to seek knowledge through reflection and meditation. His personal study of the scripture was not enough to enable him get a glimpse of the inner meaning of the scripture until he requested and sought the help of a disciple of Jesus in the person of Philip who explained to him the message of the scripture as he had read it.
It was after the explanations that he became enlightened and demanded to be baptized and was baptized and enlightened. Every true Christian must desire to grow in faith through enlightenment from fellow Christians and apostles of the faith.
The understanding we need and desire for better comprehension of mysteries in the Church especially the Eucharistic mysteries only demand our humility and disposition to be taught, enlightened and schooled for better appreciation of the mystery.
That Jesus is present body , soul and divinity in the Eucharistic species needs specific teachings and enlightenment not just personal or individualistic reading of the scriptures. Many centuries of probing, teachings, and history of the Churches tradition especially the writings of early Christian fathers and spiritualists affirm this teaching as emanating from the early apostles and disciples of Jesus.
Saint Paul in his letters to the Corinthians made quite specific references to this presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic mystery. So it is not a thing for debate but a mystery to be comprehended, appreciated and accepted.
As the discourse continues throughout the week we shall be exposed to the importance and strength of this mystery for our salvation and journey through life.
Heavenly Father, like the Ethiopian eunuch we seek understanding, knowledge and enlightenment on the mysteries of life, and on our faith. Grant us greater understanding of the salvation we seek, especially in the Eucharistic mysteries. May we be helped to understand, appreciate and exercise great faith in these mysteries for our salvation and sanctification through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
