Consuming the Word of God in the Eucharist.

When Christians talk about consuming the word of God as food, there is no greater apologetic as a Catholic to talk about the Eucharist. As Catholics, we believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist that it actually becomes the body and blood of Jesus. In the Bible Christ is described as the word of God ; "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 NIV. The word of God is present among us when we consume the Eucharistic meal, more so than in any other part of the Mass. When we consume Christ, the Living Word, we partake in His Divine Nature. At conversion, we become more united to Jesus through repentance and faith, but it is in the sharing in the life of the church that we can experience Christ more fully.

At Baptism we enter into a more perfect union with Christ, but in the sharing of communion or the Eucharist we consume the body of Christ, this is what the church teaches. In the sharing of the body of Christ we as a body all share in his salvation plan. The Mass proclaims the gospel in the liturgy, and we live it out through the Eucharistic meal. Covenantal union happens, during the Mass when we say yes to the New Covenant, Jesus' Passion, and share in the body and blood of Jesus. It is a mystery of faith "how" the covenant is ratified, but it is through the Mass that we say yes to the God of the New Covenant, and the ordain-er of the Old. What is old is surely passing away. Christ is the fulfillment of the Law, or the Old Covenant; "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5:17 NIV.

As we consume the Eucharistic host, Christ is present in this host. To consume it lawfully, we need to be in right standing with the church, it is usually good to confess ones sins before having the Eucharistic meal. God is present, throughout the entire Mass, but we get to share in the divine life of Christ, as God the Son, and commune more perfectly with the author of our salvation. Salvation comes by faith, and when we maintain our faith through daily renewal of our covenant with God, (and one way to do that is through the Mass.) Being mindful and present of the Glorious presence of God that Christians experience at the Mass, we come to understand more fully the Love of God.

We can practice this presence, as we have fellowship with Jesus the Son of God, through the Eucharistic celebration. This is Mike.

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