Cathal Barry
The Church teaches that the Eucharist is its heart and summit, writes Cathal Barry
In an ancient prayer the Church acclaims the mystery of the Eucharist: “O sacred banquet in which Christ is received as food, the memory of his Passion is renewed, the soul is filled with grace and a pledge of the life to come is given to us.”
The Church teaches that at the Last Supper the Lord himself directed his disciples’ attention toward the fulfilment of the Passover in the kingdom of God: “I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Mt 26:29)
The Church knows, according to the Catechism, that the Lord comes even now in his Eucharist and that he is there in our midst. However, the key teaching document notes that his presence is veiled.
There is no surer pledge or dearer sign of this great hope, the Church teaches, than the Eucharist. Every time this mystery is celebrated, “the work of our redemption is carried on” (Lumen Gentium) and we “break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ” (St Ignatius of Antioch).
Eucharist
The Eucharist, according to the Catechism, is the “heart and the summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father”. By this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church, the Catechism states.
The Eucharistic celebration always includes: the proclamation of the Word of God; thanksgiving to God the Father for all his benefits, above all the gift of his Son; the consecration of bread and wine; and participation in the liturgical banquet by receiving the Lord’s body and blood. “These elements constitute one single act of worship,” the Catechism states.
The Church teaches that the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, that is, of the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, a work made present by the liturgical action.
“By the consecration the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is brought about,” the Catechism states.
As sacrifice, the Church teaches that the Eucharist is also offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God.
As such, the Church recommends that the faithful receive Holy Communion when they participate in the celebration of the Eucharist and obliges them to do so at least once a year.
“Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him,” the Catechism states.
“Participation in the Holy Sacrifice identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints,” it adds.