Did you know we are part of the saving sacrificial gift for the world? When we come to worship together at Mass, we the faithful, offer ourselves up as a sacrifice. The gifts we bring to the altar are not the only gifts. We bring ourselves too! We are called to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This does not mean our body as simply flesh and bones, but rather our very selves. We become the spiritual sacrifice!
We were made to live with our God but unfortunately the fall in the garden of Eden required intervention from our creator. We move forward from the beginning of salvation history towards our transformation in Christ to be able to partake in his divinity. As temporal beings this takes time. As we receive Holy Communion, Jesus can transform us into himself. However, it is important we are ready to receive or else we cannot become what we receive fully. Our Lord always shows up 100% in the sacramental life of the church but we might not always be open or ready to receive. This doesn’t mean we can never receive, but we might need more time when our hearts are ready.
When we receive Communion, it isn’t we who change Christ into ourselves, he is transforming us into him! This is why the doctrine of real presence is such a keystone. The host is not simply a symbol of Jesus or that his presence is projected upon it. He is really, truly, substantially present in body, blood, soul and divinity!
So, what of this transformation and what are the effects? I turn to two quotes to help us, one from Sr.Bernadette Reis, FSP (bustedhalo.com) and the other from James Dobbins (EWTN article called “the Eucharist and it Effects”).
They say, “The transformation we undergo also mirrors what happens to the bread and wine. The bread and wine are not aware of the transformation taking place. They are simply there, or present, and undergo transformation. All throughout our life our bodies are undergoing continual transformations. Weare not aware of the transformations taking place; but we know they are taking place because they concretely manifest themselves. In the same way, all that is required is that we be present to Christ and allow him to transform us. We may never be aware of the actual transformation taking place, but we will definitely be aware of the effects of that transformation in our lives.”
And of the effects, “…the Eucharist are like the effects of food for our body. Food sustains life, and the Eucharist sustains the life of the soul. It gives us the grace we need to deny ourselves and to life [sic] for Christ, to live for our life. The more love we have for Christ, the less self-love we have. The more we love God, the more we can resist temptation, and so the Eucharist strengthens us spiritually. Thus, theEucharist has the effect of bringing to life the virtues in us so that we can live the life of Christ in us. But just as ordinary food can be effected only when properly digested, so too, the Eucharist can only produce its good effects when we are properly disposed to receive it.”
Come and encounter Christ at Mass, do it in memory of him, hear his Word, receive his real presence, experience his transformative love then go and share this experience with others. May the Easter season continue to bless you and the risen Lord transform you!
