Fr. Joseph ADENIYI

Here is the greatest source and treasure of Holy Roman Catholic Church called the Holy Eucharist. The Second Vatican council says “is the source and summit of the whole Christian life.” Furthermore, the council also said that the Most Blessed Eucharist contains the Church’s entire Spiritual wealth, that is Christ Himself. The Sacred Scripture also has this to say “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, whoever eats this bread will live forever…, whoever, eats my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink” [John 6:51-57].

Therefore, the celebration of today’s liturgy says to us, the Eucharist is the source of life giving. That is, Jesus Christ is truly, really and substantially present.

Dear brothers and Sisters, the readings of today invite us to reflect on the source of life [Eucharist]. And that is why from the First reading of today, Melchizedek the high Priest of God from Salem offered Abraham bread and wine and blessed him in God’s name. He could have offered him pleasantries or other special gifts and accolade. Rather, he gave him the greatest source that grant Abraham victory. The Eucharist is not just taken by oneself, but shared among brothers and sisters. Those who eat the body and drink the blood of Christ do so to be identified and become one with Christ.

The second reading of today reminds and re-enacts the words of Christ to us through St. Paul “This is my body which is for you…, This Chalice is the new covenant in my blood…, for as long as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” [ 1Cor11:23-26]. We are therefore called to come and share together in the banquet of the Lord. Christ made this know when he said to the apostles in the Gospel reading of today “You give them something to eat” [Luke 9: 13]. The body and blood of Christ is the sharing and communion of all things to all men and women. Whenever we share in the Eucharist, we share and commune in the life of Christ the head and in the life of the Church His body. This is an essential experience to our life. And the Christ wants us to experience Him, touch Him, taste Him and See Him. 

Late Pope John Paul said, ‘even if the hunger of man and woman is satisfied, yet the deepest hunger of man would still exist.’ Therefore, “let us come to God for not just Spiritual food, rather He can give us eternal life.” As Christ gave Himself whole and entire to the world unconditionally, He wants us all to offer the world something different and unique that the world cannot give. Like Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek the High Priest of Salem because he saw the great power in the Spiritual gift of God, bread and wine. And the apostles also gave five loaves and two fish.

Beloved in the Lord, if we share our property- time, talents, gifts and resources God gave to us, then we too will inherit a kingdom prepared for us from the beginning of the world. Thus, we cannot say we are in communion with the Body and Blood of Christ without sharing what we have. Don’t forget, “we make a living from what we get, but make a life from what we give and share.” I am alive, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me… [Gal 2:20].

Hence, we are here to receive in order that we might give the greatest treasure and source of the Catholic Church which is the Holy Eucharist; Christ himself in the way we live our lives with our fellow brothers and sisters at home, in the market place, in the office, playing ground or wherever we find ourselves; so that through Him, with Him and in Him, we can reveal the presence of God’s kingdom out there in the world. And more importantly, the Christian faith without the Eucharist is lifeless. And the Eucharist without faith is in vain; a mystery beyond reason.

Above all, our attitude to the Body and Blood of Christ should show our gratitude to the one who gave us all His true self, body and blood under the appearance of bread and wine, not a symbol, but a reality. As we celebrate this mystery of our faith; the Holy Eucharist, may our lives become life that others draw life from, and may we translate our faith and life to action by becoming what we receive [eat] through Christ our Lord. Amen.