Christ, the Living Bread of Life:

The Eucharist

 I am the living breadanyone who eats this bread shall live forever: the bread I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the worldhe who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day{for} he remains in me and I in him.
( Jn 5:51, 54-56 )

When the hour came, he took at place at table with the apostles. He said to them, I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer Then, taking bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body to be given for you, Do this as a remembrance of me. He did the same with the cup after eating, saying, as he did so: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will shed for you. ( Lk 22:14f, 19f)

The Fruits of Receiving Communion

Catholic tradition teaches that all the effects that material food and drinks does for the life of the body preserves, increases, renews, and delights the Eucharist produces for the spiritual life ( Council of Florence, ND 1511).

1. Union with Christ

The first effect of receiving Holy Communion worthily is to unite us with Christ ( cf. CCC 1391). the man who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him ( Jn 6:56 ) This communion with Christ brings us true life.

1. Union with Christ

Just as the Father who has life sent me and I have life because of the Father, so the man who feeds on me will have life because of me Unlike your ancestors who ate and died nonetheless, the man who feeds on this bread shall live forever. ( Jn 6:57).

2. Liberating from Sin

A second effect of the Holy Communion is to separate us from sin, since we receive Christ whose life-giving blood was poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins ( Mt 26:28; cf. CCC 1393).

2.Liberating from Sin

This communion with the Risen Christ gives life through the Holy Spirit, deepening our life of grace begun in Baptism. As bodily food restores our physical energies, so the Eucharist is a remedy to free us from our daily faults and to preserve us from mortal sin ( Council of Trent, ND 1515; cf. CCC 1395).

2.Liberating from Sin

It strengthens our life of loving service, weakened by our disordered desires, self-centered attitudes, and sins.

2.Liberating from Sin

PCP II states simply that the Eucharist is the primary source of renewal and center of community (PCP II 457).

3. Reconciliation

To reconcile and be reconciled is a major effect of the holy Eucharist as the sacramental love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity ( CCC 1394, 1398).

3. Reconciliation

Without displacing in the least the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Eucharist thus constitutes the chief ordinary means of reconciliation in the

3. Reconciliation

It brings us together around the table of the Lord, uniting us in sharing food and drink in a sacred meal hosted by Christ himself.

3. Reconciliation

The Eucharist thus educates us in active love for neighbor. [For] if Christ offers himself equally to each one, it shows us what value each person, our brother and sister, has in Gods eyes.

3. Reconciliation

It makes us grow in awareness of the dignity of each person[and] becomes the deepest motive of our relationship with our neighbor.

At the holy table all differences of race or social class disappear.The Eucharist becomes the great instrument for bringing men closer to one another to establish a better relationship among themselves, leading to recognition of one anothers rights and corresponding duties as well ( John Paul II, ND 1590 )

Source: Catechism for Filipino Catholics, 1997 Page 494-495, par. 1717-1719

Prepared and Presented By:

Bro. Doring Molejon ZMA-CFD EDCOM Chairman and Bro. Rodel Luyao EDCOM Member

END

THANK YOU