Responding to the Love and Mercy Jesus Offers us in the Eucharist
Posted by Lily Wilson
June 21, 2025 | Eve of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
How are we called to respond to the love and mercy that Jesus offers us through his true presence in the Eucharist?
This weekend, we celebrate the whole reason for our existence: the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The true presence of Our Lord is the most essential belief that sets Catholicism apart from all other Christian denominations. In Capernaum, after miraculously feeding the five thousand, Our Lord himself taught us that he truly intended to give us his flesh and blood for us to eat:
Words have power. Our Lord knew this, and as he gave us his teaching on the Eucharist, he meant what he said when he repeated his words emphatically.
We can be assured that he did not mean these words figuratively because his disciples understood him literally, and objected: "This saying is hard, who can accept it?" (John 6:60) They were objecting because Jewish law stricly prohibited the consumption of blood.
But see Jesus' response: "Does this shock you?" (John 6:61). He knew it would be hard to believe, but he also knew that, once the disciples witnessed the Resurrection and saw him ascending into heaven, the Holy Spirit given to them at Pentecost would enlighten their hearts and minds to understand and respond to his call to take the Eucharist to the ends of the earth.
Jesus confirms his own words as true as he says, "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63)
Indeed, "It is the spirit that gives life" (John 6:63), and it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that the elements of bread and wine are transformed into his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
The authority given to priests by virtue of apostolic succession guarantees this reality. In utter condescension of love for us, Our Lord makes himself obedient to the words of our priests at the consecration; the words of men who, like you and I, are beset by their own sins and weakness.
This weekend, let us come before him with great gratitude and joy, and humbly ask him to grant us healing of body, mind and spirit so that we may continue to build his Kingdom on earth.
Please pray for priests, and let us pray for more holy priests. Without them, we would not have the Eucharist.
Flower petals laid at the feet of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in preparation for the Corpus Christi Procession at St. Joseph Parish in Imperial, MO. Photo credit: Veils by Lily, Inc.