Please listen to a talk by Father Broom on the Holy Eucharist
Never could we ever give sufficient
thanksgiving to the greatest gift that Jesus left for us at the Last Supper
before He underwent His agonizing passion and death and then rose from the dead
after three days. This “Gift of Gifts”
is the most Holy Eucharist. “Eucharist”
from Greek actually means “thanksgiving”.
Our hearts should be overflowing with
thanksgiving that Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, decided to leave for us the
very gift of Himself, under the appearance of bread and wine in the Eucharist,
every time that Holy Mass is celebrated.
When the priest pronounces the same
words that Jesus said at the Last Supper, the words of consecration: “Take and
eat this is my Body; take and drink, this is my Blood. Do this in memory of
me,” then a miracle takes place before our very eyes! Jesus truly becomes “Present” in His Body,
Blood, Soul and Divinity!
It is really Jesus, “Emmanuel” (God
with us). The same Jesus born in
Bethlehem, who taught the multitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, the Same Jesus
who cured the blind, healed the lepers, and even brought the dead back to
life--- Lazarus, the son of the widow of Naim and the 12 year old girl, the
daughter of Jairus-- He is really present in the consecrated Host at the very
moment of Consecration!
With St. Thomas let us fall to our
knees and cry out” “My Lord and my God!” With the angels, before the Blessed
Sacrament, let us humbly adore: “O Sacrament most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all
praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine!” With the humble Centurion, let us unite our
hearts and voices: “Lord I am not worthy, but only say the word…” With the angelic choir, that first Christmas
night, let us acclaim: “O come let us
adore Him, Christ the Lord…” Holy Communion well-received produces a
transforming effect on the soul!
EFFECTS OF COMMUNION: WHAT IT
PRODUCES IN US!
1.
INCREASE IN SANCTIFYING GRACE. At the moment of our Baptism, we received
sanctifying grace for the first time. This makes our souls pleasing to God who
lives in us! Well received, Holy
Communion results in enhancing sanctifying grace in our souls. If ever there were a noble daily pursuit of
primary importance in our lives it should be to strive to never lose
sanctifying grace, but also to daily grow in it. Holy Communion is the most efficacious
means! OPUS DEI! It is truly the marvelous work of God in in
our souls!
2.
UNION WITH JESUS. Jesus compares our union with Him to the
“Vine and the Branches”. (Jn. 15). “I am the vine and you are the branches. Any
branch that does not bring forth fruit will be cut off and thrown into the
fire. I have called you to bring forth fruit and fruit in abundance.” There is no more intimate union with Jesus in
this world than our souls receiving Him in Holy Communion with fervor!
3.
TRANSFORMATION IN JESUS. If it is true that we become like what we
eat; bad eating habits produce health problems! The same can be said about our spiritual
nourishment. The specific Sacramental
effect of Confession is healing of the wounds we contract due to sin. Holy Communion
has a different sacramental grace--- it is that of nourishment. Confession is
like going to the doctor; Communion is like going to a luxurious
restaurant! Frequent, fervent and
faith-filled Communions result in having the “mind of Christ”; moreover, there
is actually a transformation of heart. If you will, Holy Communion results in a
“Spiritual Heart Transplant”. Indeed we
really receive the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Holy Communion!
4.
SPIRITUAL HEALTH. Unhealthy eating habits, leads to sickness;
healthy eating habits fortifies our health. Likewise, Holy Communion fosters
and bolsters “Spiritual health”. The
Council of Trent specified that Holy Communion is an antidote to our daily
infirmities. With venial sin, we can
approach the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Imploring forgiveness in the
penitential act, venial sins are forgiven and we can approach the Eucharist
with the many graces that Jesus wants to bestow on us! When you see a cold
approaching, take a double dose of Vitamin C. You experience temptations from the devil, the
flesh and the world, run to Jesus in the Eucharist and He will put to flight
the devil, purify the body of its disordered tendencies, and elevate the mind
to more noble aspirations than what the world offers, with its glamour and
seductions.
5.
TEMPTATIONS OF THE FLESH. St. John Bosco highly recommended his youth
to subdue and conquer the fire of passions by frequently receiving Jesus, in His most pure Body, Blood and Soul in Holy
Communion. Remember! In receiving Holy
Communion, the Precious Blood of Jesus
circulates through the veins, arteries, body and heart, communicating the most
pure and noble of sentiments and feelings.
Consequently, the most efficacious means to conquer sin, and the sins of
the flesh, is frequent and fervent Holy Communions!
6.
CONSOLATION AND JOY. St. Thomas Aquinas draws an analogy with
between the effects of food on the body and Holy Communion to the soul. Food
nourishes, strengthens, consoles, and heals the body. Likewise, Holy Communion
strengthens the soul to fight temptation, consoles the soul wearied from trials
and tribulations, and even heals the soul depleted by constant struggle to
attain virtue. Holy Communion produces
great joy, with the certain knowledge, that Jesus is the “Faithful Friend”
living within! If God is with us who can
be against us!
7.
HEAVEN! Of course, the most important effect that
Holy Communion produces in our souls is not simply a temporal effect, but
eternal and that is ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN!
The purpose of our life is to know God, love God and serve God in this
life so as to be happy with Him forever in heaven! Jesus promised us eternal life by union with
Him and by nourishing ourselves on Him.
It could not be any clearer than in reading and meditating Jn. 6:
48-58. With brilliant clarity and
precision Jesus asserts: “I am the Bread of life, whoever eats my Body and
drinks my Blood will have everlasting life and I will raise him up on the last
day!”
Let us turn to Mary who said, “Yes”
to the Archangel Gabriel and received Jesus into her most pure womb, and beg
her for the grace to receive Jesus in Holy Communion with great frequency,
fiery fervor and ever-growing love! This
is the quickest path to overcome sin, grow in sanctity and to attain eternal
life!
