Holy Communion (Eucharist) is one of the Seven Sacraments, which are the physical signs of God’s grace in the world. In Holy Communion simple bread and wine are miraculously changed into the real and present body and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus fully and freely gives Himself to those who receive Him in a state of Grace. Though the bread and wine do not change in appearance, their nature, or substance, becomes that of Christ. This is called transubstantiation. It began at the Last Supper when Jesus said, “This is my body…” and “This is my blood…” and gave it to the apostles. It is the new covenant which fulfills God’s promises to His people. Jesus said, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” John 6: 54-58 This is why from the very beginning the Church has always held Holy Eucharist, which literally means Thanksgiving, as an essential teaching and the source and summit of the Faith.
“Matthew 26:26–28 – “Take, eat; this is my body… this is my blood of the covenant…” Institution of the Eucharist at the last Supper.
Mark 14:22–24 – …And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.”
Luke 22:19–20 “Do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 10:16 “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
1 Corinthians 11:23–26” For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for[ you. Do this in remembrance of me’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me’” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” Paul recounts the institution and emphasizes proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes.
Baltimore Catechism: Lessons 26, 27, 28, 29
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Illustration by: Colton Rompala