29. The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist


  Introduction

   We know that Christ died, resurrected, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God from where he intercedes for us. However, he is also present in his Church in many ways: in his Word, in the prayer, in the poor, in the sick, in the sacraments; and mainly under the sacramental species of bread and wine that contain the Body and the Blood of Jesus Christ, as the faith teaches.

    This mystery is best understood with the heart, because it is the fruit of God's love. He had to depart, but he wanted to stay. Something impossible for men, but possible for him who was born of the Virgin, is seated at the right hand of God and is truly present in the Eucharist with his body, blood, soul and divinity. From the beginning, Christians believe in this truth.

  A. Choose one of these words and answer: water, wine, blood, heart, Eternity, Divinity, Magdalene or Mary.

 Jesus is present under the sacramental species of bread and

 The bread and wine contains Jesus Christ's body and
 Jesus is in the Eucharist with his body, blood, soul and
 In the Eucharist is the true body which was born of the Virgin



1. The presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist

   Although the faith of the Church has always been the same, the doctrine has been developed and the Council of Trent specifies that the body, the blood, the soul and the divinity of Christ is truly and substantially contained in the Eucharist. It is known as the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is called "real" not for exclusive title, but for excellence, because it is essential and through it Christ, God and man are entirely present, as Paul VI explains. That light that burned day and night together with the sanctuary reminds us that Jesus is truly present there.

2. Transubstantiation

   Before the supernatural reality of the Eucharistic mystery (the real presence of Christ under the bread and wine), it is inevitable to ask: What has happened? Because it was before bread and wine, and when the priest says: “This is my Body", This is the cup of my blood”, he refers to the Body and Blood of Christ. This reveals us that the faith and the word of God cannot fail. Indeed, by the divine power given to the priest, there has been a conversion of substances, because the external appearances have not changed. What was substance of bread has become the substance of Christ in his body.

    That admirable and singular conversion is known as transubstantiation or change of substance. It is a fantastic mystery that human reason does not understand, but God can do it through his minister, the priest.

  B. Choose the correct word in parentheses and answer:

 We know the ( ) presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

 This doctrine was ( ) at the Council of Trent.

 The light of the sanctuary ( ) that Jesus is there.

 After the consecration, what before was bread now is ( ) of Christ.

 The wine has become ( ) of Christ.

 This conversion is ( ) transubstantiation.

3. The presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated hosts

   When the priest consecrates many hosts, we believe that Jesus Christ is present in each and every one of them. We also believe that if one of them is divided into several pieces, Jesus Christ is entirely in each of them. So the priest carefully collects the particles of the consecrated hosts, although they are very small, as indicated in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. The Lord has stayed with us for love, and we must return to him the same.

4. Christians should manifest faith and love to the Eucharist

    The belief in these truths of our faith has led the Church to worship the Blessed Sacrament. Christians has always lived this cult with many Eucharistic devotions:

    – On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and especially the sacrifice of the Mass.

    – The Feast of Corpus Christi, which celebrates the real presence of Jesus Christ and is carried in solemn procession through the streets of the city.

    – The exposition and benediction with the most holy, hanging out with the Lord sacramented in privacy of worship and real gratitude.

    – Visits to the Blessed sanctuary by the faithful to accompany and entertain him.

    And many prayers that feed the Eucharistic piety: spiritual communions, Adoro Te Devote, prayers before and after Communion, etc. It is a detail of human nobility to offer worthy things to Jesus in the sanctuary: the good care of the sanctuary and of the sacred vessels, the efforts in cleaning; but above all the respect and worship: the genuflect before the sanctuary, frequently visits (at least with thought and desire), the sing of the holy cross when passing a church, etc.

Catechesis Course. Mister Jaime Pujol Balcells and Mister Jesús Sancho Bielsa. EUNSA. Navarra. 1982. With the permission of the authors.

  C. C. Choose the correct word in parentheses and answer:

 When several hosts are consecrated, Jesus is ( ) in each of them.

 Holy Thursday celebrates the ( ) of the Eucharist.

 The Feast of Corpus Christi celebrates the ( ) presence of Jesus Christ.

 The exposition and benediction with the most holy is an act of ( )

 The visits to the sanctuary are for ( )

 We want to ( ) the best to Jesus in the sanctuary.

  Catechisms Questions

1. When Jesus begins to be present in the Eucharist?  Jesus begins to be present in the Eucharist at the moment of consecration at Mass.

2. How is Jesus Christ in the Eucharist?  Jesus Christ is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist. He is in each and every one of the parts of the sacred species; and he is there to be our food, to worship and visit him in the sanctuary.

Select the button for the correct answer. The possible answers are below:

 QUESTIONS

 ANSWERS

 When Jesus begins to be present in the Eucharist?

 How is Jesus Christ in the Eucharist?


 

 POSSIBLE ANSWERS

 A

 He is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist. He is in each and every one of the parts of the sacred species; and he is there to be our food, to worship and visit him in the sanctuary.
 B

 At the moment of consecration at Mass.



  Purposes of Christian life

– Decide to visit the most holy in the sanctuary of the church every day.

– When entering a church, first of all we must go to greet the Lord in the sanctuary.

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®Arturo Ramo García.-Record of intellectual property of Teruel (Spain) No 141, of 29-IX-1999 Plaza Playa de Aro, 3, 1º DO 44002-TERUEL







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