Reflection #2 - The Fountain From Which the Life of Christ Flows
Two weeks ago, we launched our biweekly series of reflections on the sacrament of the Eucharist, one of the three sacraments of Initiation—the others being Baptism and Confirmation. In the introduction, we presented this sacrament of the Real Presence as being “the fountain from which the life of Christ flows.” For some, this might be considered a bold statement. And indeed it is, for Eucharist is the most important of the seven Sacraments instituted by Christ.[1]
Commenting on the depth of our faith, St. Thomas Aquinas, writing in the thirteenth century, said, “…baptism is the beginning of the spiritual life, and the door of the sacraments; whereas the Eucharist is, as it were, the consummation of the spiritual life, and the end of all the sacraments.”[2] This Doctor of the Church also said that whereas the power of Christ is present in the other sacraments, the Eucharist contains Christ’s presence—“Christ’s own Body.”[3] For St. Thomas, the opportunity to receive God’s gift of the Eucharist was not an option—it was everything!
During the time before Christ, Israel professed its wonder in being God’s chosen people as articulated in Torah; “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us…”[4] In the Body and Blood of Christ, these words of triumphant joy acquire new meaning as the people of God come into being through the Church. God is now so near to us through the mystery of bread and wine that he can be no closer.
While Jesus’ nearness to us at Mass is a great cause for joy, we know that it continues to be a stumbling block for some. In our next installment of reflections on the Eucharist, we will address the question, “Does the Bible have anything to say about the real presence of the Lord, or is this just some naïve misunderstanding from a later age?”
[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324—“the source and summit of the Christian life.”
[2] Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Third Part, Question 73, Article 3.
[3] Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Third Part, Question 73, Article 1.
[4] Deuteronomy 4:7
Commenting on the depth of our faith, St. Thomas Aquinas, writing in the thirteenth century, said, “…baptism is the beginning of the spiritual life, and the door of the sacraments; whereas the Eucharist is, as it were, the consummation of the spiritual life, and the end of all the sacraments.”[2] This Doctor of the Church also said that whereas the power of Christ is present in the other sacraments, the Eucharist contains Christ’s presence—“Christ’s own Body.”[3] For St. Thomas, the opportunity to receive God’s gift of the Eucharist was not an option—it was everything!
During the time before Christ, Israel professed its wonder in being God’s chosen people as articulated in Torah; “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us…”[4] In the Body and Blood of Christ, these words of triumphant joy acquire new meaning as the people of God come into being through the Church. God is now so near to us through the mystery of bread and wine that he can be no closer.
While Jesus’ nearness to us at Mass is a great cause for joy, we know that it continues to be a stumbling block for some. In our next installment of reflections on the Eucharist, we will address the question, “Does the Bible have anything to say about the real presence of the Lord, or is this just some naïve misunderstanding from a later age?”
[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324—“the source and summit of the Christian life.”
[2] Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Third Part, Question 73, Article 3.
[3] Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Third Part, Question 73, Article 1.
[4] Deuteronomy 4:7