Connecting With God through the Holy Eucharist

“So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink’.” John 6:53-55

For us Catholics, the Holy Eucharist is integral in our everyday lives. When people lack meaning, hope, and direction, we are sent forth to be heralds of Christ. In receiving the Holy Eucharist, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity, and allow ourselves to grow in love with one another as He commands us to love, remember, and eagerly wait for His return. We commemorate and remember the sacrifices of Christ for His people, as He descended into the abyss of death, and obtained new and eternal life not by overcoming death, but by transforming it.

Recently, a Senior High School student from Ateneo De Manila University took an “ostiya” from the Holy Mass, did a food review, and later posted it on his Twitter account. It caught the attention of the church community which considered it a grave sin.

It is disrespectful to Jesus, as the Holy Eucharist is the real body and blood of Christ, our savior. We believe in Jesus’ presence through it, who died on the cross for our sins. Disrespecting the Eucharist is disrespecting God Himself, His teachings, sacrifices, and the love He has for us.

The Eucharist is our source of strength that helps us overcome trials and sufferings throughout our lives. By celebrating the Holy Mass, we unite ourselves in worshipping God, and by receiving the body and blood of Christ, we allow ourselves to be nourished spiritually and be closer to God. Let us respect and accept the Eucharist, so we may truly be united with Christ our Lord. (Janessa Felix – HCDC Intern)