issue 29 a publication of Ave Maria mutual funds The Fr. Charles Fox Every great story has a beginning, a represented — made present once the words of Jesus, repeated at every among his apostles and charged them order to make our pilgrimage climax and an end. Every journey The Eucharist is one of the seven again — on the altar. Mass: “This is my body” and “This is to “do this in memory of me,” to through the narrow and difficult way has a starting point and a destina- instituted by Jesus Christ the chalice of my blood.” Notice, he offer the same sacrifice and share of this world that leads to life eternal. tion. Every human accomplishment to communicate his saving grace to Many questions have arisen over the does not say, “This bread is my body,” with his people the gift of his body That is why St. Thomas Aquinas begins with a moment of inspira- his people. centuries about how the Mass can be or, “This wine is my blood.” and blood. refers to every reception of the Eucha- tion; is fueled by a combination of a sacrifice, and we cannot even ask, rist as Viaticum, or “food for the talent, vision, energy and drive; and The Catechism names the Eucharist let alone answer, all such questions In his 2003 encyclical on the Eucha- The Second Vatican Council teaches journey.” The whole of our lives is a finds fulfillment in meeting a “the sacrament of sacraments” (par. here. But it is the of the Catho- rist, Pope St. John Paul II reminds us that in the Eucharist, grace pours journey, and each day is another step desired goal. 1211), and this title is rooted in the lic Church that Christ meant what he that there are many ways in which forth “as from a fountain,” nourish- toward heaven or hell. So, we need teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas, said at the Last Supper, the first Christ is present in the world, but the ing ’s people and giving them life heavenly nourishment to walk in the The Christian life is a great story, an who in his Summa Theologica writes Mass: “This is my body, which will be Eucharist is his presence par excellence. in the . The Eucharist is right direction, to move ever upward epic journey and an accomplishment that the Eucharist, in relation to the given for you … This cup is the new Christ is present in his word, especially what one of my own seminary profes- toward our true homeland, what unlike any other. And our Catholic other sacraments, “is greater than all covenant in my blood, which will be proclaimed at Mass; in the poor and sors calls “the sacrament of trans- St. Paul calls the place of our true tradition identifies one key to all of the others and perfects them.” shed for you,” and, “Do this in needy; in priests; and in the assembly forming intimacy,” because by its citizenship: heaven. these aspects of our life in Christ. memory of me” (Lk 22:19-20). In of people gathered to worship. But powerful graces it draws us into One reality serves as the beginning, The sacraments are saving gifts of these words, Christ offers his body the completeness, immediacy and union with Christ and makes us A final combination of ways in climax and end of our story of faith, Christ to his church, given so that, and blood precisely as a sacrificial gift substantial nature of Christ’s presence more like him. which the Eucharist acts as the as the starting point and destination after his Ascension, his followers for us, and he commands us to do what in the sacrament of his body and “source” of the Christian life is that of the church’s journey from death to on earth can encounter him and he has done. blood is unmatched. We often speak of our need to follow in the sacrament we encounter life and from earth to heaven, and as have life in union with him. The Christ, and that is certainly necessary, Christ and find the possibility of the inspiration, fuel and fulfillment visible signs or “appearances” of Monsignor Ronald Knox, an My reference to the “substantial but we do not do this by our own friendship with him. This is why the of all that Christ has accomplished in the Eucharist — bread and wine — English priest and apologist of the nature” of Christ’s presence brings us power. We first become like Christ so Eucharist is often the cause of our . are very humble, but their humility first half of the 20th century, writes to the doctrine of . we can follow him by his power and conversions to the Catholic Church. speaks to us of the incredible humil- that the Mass is like the performance This term comes from the Latin the power of his Spirit at work in us. Countless people over the centuries The key to all of this is the sacrament ity involved in the Son of God of a great symphony. Composed once words for “across” and “substance,” have been thunderstruck by the of the holy Eucharist, which J.R.R. becoming man in the first place for by a master, it is then performed indicating that the change involves Our tradition teaches that the Chris- awesome presence of Emmanuel, Tolkien rightly calls, “the one great our salvation. The sacraments are a countless times by those who gladly crossing the gulf between the substanc- tian life is a pilgrimage from earth “God with us,” here and now. thing to love on earth.” The Catechism masterstroke of God’s artistry, offer again what the one master es of bread and wine and the to heaven and through death to life. of the Catholic Church, echoing the effectively communicating to us has accomplished. The Mass is the substance of Christ’s body and blood. This journey is one of the meanings Pope Benedict XVI has famously teaching of the fathers of the Second what would otherwise be incommu- bloody sacrifice of the cross offered of the word “Passover” or “Paschal.” written in his 2005 encyclical Deus Vatican Council, identifies the nicable: God’s own life, love, grace in an unbloody way, so that we first At the consecration, when the priest In the Old Testament, we witness Caritas Est (“God Is Love”), “Being a Eucharist as the “source and summit and power. might be able to join ourselves to pronounces the words of Christ God leading his people through the Christian is not the result of an of the Christian life” (par. 1324). Christ as he offers himself to the over the elements of bread and wine, desert, from Egypt to the Promised ethical choice or a lofty idea, but Sacrifice Father and then “taste and see that the change into Christ’s body and Land, nourishing them along the the encounter with an event, a There are four doctrines that will An often-forgotten truth about the is good” (Ps 34:9). blood is immediate, complete and way with manna, heavenly bread person, which gives life a new prepare our minds to understand Eucharist is that it refers both to a irreversible. God’s power makes this designed and given by God specifi- horizon and a decisive direction.” the dual role the Eucharist plays in sacrifice and a sacrament. Holy The Real Presence change possible. cally for the task of keeping the Pope Francis also has heavily empha- Christian life. Those four doctrines Mass, which we often call the celebra- The last two foundational doctrines Israelites on the move. sized the role of encountering are the Eucharist as a sacrament, the tion of the Eucharist, is a sacrifice. concerning the Eucharist, the Real Is the Last Supper also a beginning Christ as the essential beginning of Eucharist as a sacrifice, the real That is why it is enacted on an altar Presence and transubstantiation, are supper? Absolutely, yes. The first The Eucharist is the perfect manna, the Christian life. There is no presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and not merely a table. In the Mass, so closely linked that we can consider celebration of the Eucharist is one of the new manna given by Christ, better opportunity for this encoun- and transubstantiation, the change the supreme and final sacrifice of them together. As with the Mass as the landmark beginning points of which also is Christ. And the Eucha- ter than when meeting Christ of bread and wine into the body and Calvary, the sacrificial death of the a sacrifice, so in teaching these the church’s life. At the Last Supper, rist is specifically crafted by God to present in the Eucharist, whether in blood of Christ. Son of God for our salvation, is doctrines the church takes seriously Christ instituted the priesthood nourish us in just the ways we need in Mass or in eucharistic adoration. represented — made present once the words of Jesus, repeated at every again — on the altar. Mass: “This is my body” and “This is the chalice of my blood.” Notice, he Many questions have arisen over the does not say, “This bread is my body,” centuries about how the Mass can be or, “This wine is my blood.” a sacrifice, and we cannot even ask, let alone answer, all such questions In his 2003 encyclical on the Eucha- here. But it is the faith of the Catho- rist, Pope St. John Paul II reminds us lic Church that Christ meant what he that there are many ways in which said at the Last Supper, the first Christ is present in the world, but the Mass: “This is my body, which will be Eucharist is his presence par excellence. given for you … This cup is the new Christ is present in his word, especially covenant in my blood, which will be proclaimed at Mass; in the poor and shed for you,” and, “Do this in needy; in priests; and in the assembly memory of me” (Lk 22:19-20). In of people gathered to worship. But these words, Christ offers his body the completeness, immediacy and and blood precisely as a sacrificial gift substantial nature of Christ’s presence for us, and he commands us to do what in the sacrament of his body and he has done. blood is unmatched.

Monsignor Ronald Knox, an My reference to the “substantial English priest and apologist of the nature” of Christ’s presence brings us first half of the 20th century, writes to the doctrine of transubstantiation. that the Mass is like the performance This term comes from the Latin of a great symphony. Composed once words for “across” and “substance,” by a master, it is then performed indicating that the change involves countless times by those who gladly crossing the gulf between the substanc- offer again what the one master es of bread and wine and the has accomplished. The Mass is the substance of Christ’s body and blood. bloody sacrifice of the cross offered in an unbloody way, so that we first At the consecration, when the priest might be able to join ourselves to pronounces the words of Christ Christ as he offers himself to the over the elements of bread and wine, Father and then “taste and see that the change into Christ’s body and the Lord is good” (Ps 34:9). blood is immediate, complete and irreversible. God’s power makes this The Real Presence change possible. The last two foundational doctrines concerning the Eucharist, the Real Is the Last Supper also a beginning Presence and transubstantiation, are supper? Absolutely, yes. The first so closely linked that we can consider celebration of the Eucharist is one of them together. As with the Mass as the landmark beginning points of a sacrifice, so in teaching these the church’s life. At the Last Supper, doctrines the church takes seriously Christ instituted the priesthood Every great story has a beginning, a Sacrament represented — made present once the words of Jesus, repeated at every among his apostles and charged them order to make our pilgrimage climax and an end. Every journey The Eucharist is one of the seven again — on the altar. Mass: “This is my body” and “This is to “do this in memory of me,” to through the narrow and difficult way has a starting point and a destina- sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ the chalice of my blood.” Notice, he offer the same sacrifice and share of this world that leads to life eternal. tion. Every human accomplishment to communicate his saving grace to Many questions have arisen over the does not say, “This bread is my body,” with his people the gift of his body That is why St. Thomas Aquinas begins with a moment of inspira- his people. centuries about how the Mass can be or, “This wine is my blood.” and blood. refers to every reception of the Eucha- tion; is fueled by a combination of a sacrifice, and we cannot even ask, rist as Viaticum, or “food for the talent, vision, energy and drive; and The Catechism names the Eucharist let alone answer, all such questions In his 2003 encyclical on the Eucha- The Second Vatican Council teaches journey.” The whole of our lives is a finds fulfillment in meeting a “the sacrament of sacraments” (par. here. But it is the faith of the Catho- rist, Pope St. John Paul II reminds us that in the Eucharist, grace pours journey, and each day is another step desired goal. 1211), and this title is rooted in the lic Church that Christ meant what he that there are many ways in which forth “as from a fountain,” nourish- toward heaven or hell. So, we need teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas, said at the Last Supper, the first Christ is present in the world, but the ing God’s people and giving them life heavenly nourishment to walk in the The Christian life is a great story, an who in his Summa Theologica writes Mass: “This is my body, which will be Eucharist is his presence par excellence. in the Holy Spirit. The Eucharist is right direction, to move ever upward epic journey and an accomplishment that the Eucharist, in relation to the given for you … This cup is the new Christ is present in his word, especially what one of my own seminary profes- toward our true homeland, what unlike any other. And our Catholic other sacraments, “is greater than all covenant in my blood, which will be proclaimed at Mass; in the poor and sors calls “the sacrament of trans- St. Paul calls the place of our true tradition identifies one key to all of the others and perfects them.” shed for you,” and, “Do this in needy; in priests; and in the assembly forming intimacy,” because by its citizenship: heaven. these aspects of our life in Christ. memory of me” (Lk 22:19-20). In of people gathered to worship. But powerful graces it draws us into One reality serves as the beginning, The sacraments are saving gifts of these words, Christ offers his body the completeness, immediacy and union with Christ and makes us A final combination of ways in climax and end of our story of faith, Christ to his church, given so that, and blood precisely as a sacrificial gift substantial nature of Christ’s presence more like him. which the Eucharist acts as the as the starting point and destination after his Ascension, his followers for us, and he commands us to do what in the sacrament of his body and “source” of the Christian life is that of the church’s journey from death to on earth can encounter him and he has done. blood is unmatched. We often speak of our need to follow in the sacrament we encounter life and from earth to heaven, and as have life in union with him. The Christ, and that is certainly necessary, Christ and find the possibility of the inspiration, fuel and fulfillment visible signs or “appearances” of Monsignor Ronald Knox, an My reference to the “substantial but we do not do this by our own friendship with him. This is why the of all that Christ has accomplished in the Eucharist — bread and wine — English priest and apologist of the nature” of Christ’s presence brings us power. We first become like Christ so Eucharist is often the cause of our salvation. are very humble, but their humility first half of the 20th century, writes to the doctrine of transubstantiation. we can follow him by his power and conversions to the Catholic Church. speaks to us of the incredible humil- that the Mass is like the performance This term comes from the Latin the power of his Spirit at work in us. Countless people over the centuries The key to all of this is the sacrament ity involved in the Son of God of a great symphony. Composed once words for “across” and “substance,” have been thunderstruck by the of the holy Eucharist, which J.R.R. becoming man in the first place for by a master, it is then performed indicating that the change involves Our tradition teaches that the Chris- awesome presence of Emmanuel, Tolkien rightly calls, “the one great our salvation. The sacraments are a countless times by those who gladly crossing the gulf between the substanc- tian life is a pilgrimage from earth “God with us,” here and now. thing to love on earth.” The Catechism masterstroke of God’s artistry, offer again what the one master es of bread and wine and the to heaven and through death to life. of the Catholic Church, echoing the effectively communicating to us has accomplished. The Mass is the substance of Christ’s body and blood. This journey is one of the meanings Pope Benedict XVI has famously teaching of the fathers of the Second what would otherwise be incommu- bloody sacrifice of the cross offered of the word “Passover” or “Paschal.” written in his 2005 encyclical Deus Vatican Council, identifies the nicable: God’s own life, love, grace in an unbloody way, so that we first At the consecration, when the priest In the Old Testament, we witness Caritas Est (“God Is Love”), “Being a Eucharist as the “source and summit and power. might be able to join ourselves to pronounces the words of Christ God leading his people through the Christian is not the result of an of the Christian life” (par. 1324). Christ as he offers himself to the over the elements of bread and wine, desert, from Egypt to the Promised ethical choice or a lofty idea, but Sacrifice Father and then “taste and see that the change into Christ’s body and Land, nourishing them along the the encounter with an event, a There are four doctrines that will An often-forgotten truth about the the Lord is good” (Ps 34:9). blood is immediate, complete and way with manna, heavenly bread person, which gives life a new prepare our minds to understand Eucharist is that it refers both to a irreversible. God’s power makes this designed and given by God specifi- horizon and a decisive direction.” the dual role the Eucharist plays in sacrifice and a sacrament. Holy The Real Presence change possible. cally for the task of keeping the Pope Francis also has heavily empha- Christian life. Those four doctrines Mass, which we often call the celebra- The last two foundational doctrines Israelites on the move. sized the role of encountering are the Eucharist as a sacrament, the tion of the Eucharist, is a sacrifice. concerning the Eucharist, the Real Is the Last Supper also a beginning Christ as the essential beginning of Eucharist as a sacrifice, the real That is why it is enacted on an altar Presence and transubstantiation, are supper? Absolutely, yes. The first The Eucharist is the perfect manna, the Christian life. There is no presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and not merely a table. In the Mass, so closely linked that we can consider celebration of the Eucharist is one of the new manna given by Christ, better opportunity for this encoun- and transubstantiation, the change the supreme and final sacrifice of them together. As with the Mass as the landmark beginning points of which also is Christ. And the Eucha- ter than when meeting Christ of bread and wine into the body and Calvary, the sacrificial death of the a sacrifice, so in teaching these the church’s life. At the Last Supper, rist is specifically crafted by God to present in the Eucharist, whether in blood of Christ. Son of God for our salvation, is doctrines the church takes seriously Christ instituted the priesthood nourish us in just the ways we need in Mass or in eucharistic adoration. Fr. Charles Fox

Rev. Charles Fox is an assistant professor of theology at Sacred Heart

Major Seminary, Detroit. He holds a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas

Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome.

Reprinted with permission. This article first appeared in Unleash the

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