Really Present
As the priest, known for his dynamic and inspiring sermons, proceeded towards the pulpit to begin his homily during Mass, the congregation began to stir in anticipation. While staring intently at his audience, the priest began by asking two questions. “Do you believe in a loving, caring, and truthful God”? Being at a Catholic Mass, of course all the participants nodded yes in agreement. When the priest asked for a show of hands, all raised their hands in additional agreement. Then he asked the second question, “Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God; meaning Jesus is truly God completely and totally.”? Again, all in the church nodded in agreement and raised their hands. Challenging them, he asked, “Then why do many of you doubt that Jesus is truly present, body and blood, in the Eucharist.”?
“Let me remind you what Jesus claimed as quoted in John’s Gospel, “My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus declared this truth shortly after turning bread and fish into a feast for over 5,000 people. They had witnessed an inspiring miracle!
Many of His disciples began to murmur against Jesus because of this doctrine of eating His flesh and drinking his blood. If Jesus meant this proclamation to be a metaphor, He could have told the crowd that He did not intend this statement to be taken literally, but He did not. Later He forcefully reemphasized this proclamation when he said, ““Truly, 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; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.”
The priest continued, ”All of you are familiar with Jesus’ declarations at the Last Supper regarding bread and wine becoming His flesh and blood, commanding His apostles to “do this in memory of me.”.”
“Recall that a few minutes ago we all confirmed that God is all truthful, Loving, and caring. Jesus is God, Trust in Jesus! Do Not doubt but believe and act on His direction to eat His flesh and drink His blood, in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is not just a meal or a symbol; it is truly the body and blood of Jesus!”