Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: July 24, 2018
My dear Parishioners and Friends,
This weekend’s Gospel passage recounts the miraculous feeding of the five thousand in the wilderness by Jesus (Jn 6:1-15). It introduces His famous “Bread of Life Discourse,” which continues for the rest of that chapter. Every three years the Church requires these texts to be our focus toward the end of the summer months, providing a perfect setting in which to focus on the great Sacrament of the Eucharist.
There are many approaches we can use in developing our understanding and appreciation of the Most Blessed Sacrament. One would be what is it? Or, better, who is it? The short answer is Jesus Christ Himself – His Body, His Blood, His soul, His divinity – for as the Council of Trent taught back in the 16th century, “The whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist” (see Sess. 13, c. 1).
Or we might concentrate on how to receive it. (I’ll be honest: most priests spend at least one weekend touching upon our need for proper Eucharistic reverence and the “mechanics” of proper reception of Holy Communion.)
What happens in our reception of Holy Communion? The presence of the word “union” in that phrase helps us to understand. Taking Jesus Christ into oneself established an intimate relationship, one in which not only the Lord’s companionship becomes real, but the possibility of deep dialogue arises. While it is possible to speak with Jesus in prayer anytime, anywhere, the Eucharist provides a privileged opportunity to converse with Him. And we should not forget our communion with the community. The Eucharist deepens our connection with other believers, both at that Mass and other Catholics throughout the diocese and the world. Thus we are linked to an immense spiritual family, the mystical Body of Christ which is the Church.
One also hopes that the Eucharist transforms us. When Jesus takes up residence within us in the Eucharist, we become more and more like Him. As St. Paul wrote, “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20a). Eucharistic grace provides spiritual strength.
This leads to what comes after our union with Jesus in the Sacrament. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that the Eucharist produces a number of spiritual effects in us (Summa theologica III-a, no. 79). Among these “The attaining of heaven … is an effect of the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Since Christ says (Jn 6:52): ‘If anyone eat of this bread, he shall live forever,’ those who receive this Sacrament worthily are immediately helped toward eternal glory.” He also points out that the Eucharist “forgives venial sins, and wards off mortal sins from the soul.” Beyond this he notes that while Holy Communion does not take away the other consequences of sin, even forgiven ones, nevertheless some benefits are always obtained, depending on the devotion and fervor of the communicant, of those participating at Mass, and of those for whom the Mass is offered.
Yours always in Christ,
Fr. Paul D. Counce
