Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Year C) · Last week I spoke about how the Holy Trinity comes from the Father’s complete gift of himself to the Son. The Son then gives himself back to the Father, but also pours out His life to us creatures. This gift of Himself is spiritual but also physical. It takes the form of bread and wine in the Eucharist at Mass.

This is my body, this is my blood. The appearances stay as bread and wine but the substance changes into the very Body and Blood of Christ. This is what makes the Catholic Church unique. Other churches have the same appearances but the substance is different. They give out communion but it is only a symbol of Jesus; the substance hasn’t changed. Only with the priesthood do you have the Eucharist. The Real Presence of Christ is why we genuflect and kneel, clean up the crumbs and save the hosts in a Tabernacle for Eucharistic Adoration.

This is not meant as a criticism of other churches. If anything, it is a criticism of us Catholics. The bread is changed so we can be transformed. The Body of Christ is given to us so we can become the Body of Christ. Are you allowing yourself to be transformed?

(30 May 2016)

Point to Ponder: What would it mean to be transformed by Communion?

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about the Catholic Church’s claims to be unique and different from other churches. How would someone attempt to test these claims to prove if they were true or false?