"WHOEVER EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD HAS ETERNAL LIFE, AND I WILL RAISE HIM ON THE LAST DAY."
As we observe the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, today we have the opportunity to reflect more thoroughly on the richness of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Let us express our gratitude to the Lord for giving himself to us under the forms of Bread and Wine, the supernatural Food and Drink which nourishes, strengthens, and supports us during our earthly pilgrimage.
Let us also remember that Jesus is present in the Eucharist as a PERSON and as a FRIEND who loves us so dearly and wants to establish with us that perfect COMMUNION that is the essence of eternal life.
Let us keep these wonderful truths in our minds and hearts as we are about to begin our Eucharistic celebration that will enable us to meet the Lord in the most personal and fulfilling manner.
Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
