The Transforming Power of the Eucharist

Posted May 14, 2009

God’s grace is available to us when we participate in the eucharistic liturgy as part of the Mystical Body of Christ, but especially when we, as part of the Mystical Body, are nourished by Christ’s physical body in the premiere sacrament of the Eucharist. The eucharistic presence of Jesus has the power to transform us: there is tremendous potential energy waiting to be released in the consecrated host and the consecrated wine the we receive in Communion. God himself initiated this source of grace and extends to us a pleading invitation to receive this sacrament. Subsequent sanctifying grace, which is holiness-making grace, will then flow into our souls by the special mutual union called Communion that occurs when we receive the Eucharist.

It is important for us to realize that the union that occurs in the Eucharist is a special, mutual union. This is why we commonly refer to the receiving of the Eucharist as Communion, meaning union with. Jesus is speaking to us about the mutuality of this union when he says,  “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (Jn 6:56, RSV).

 

The Healing Power of the Eucharist by Father John Hampsch, C.M.F.  – Servant Books