The Institution of the Eucharist - Adoration and Love of the Eucharist

 

The Institution of the Eucharist

Fruit of the Mystery:
Adoration and Love of the Eucharist

At the Last Supper, on the night before he died for our salvation, Jesus gave the Church the gift of his Body and Blood:

Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you (Luke 22:19-20).

Through “this sacrament, we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body.”[i] It is a sign of our communion with Christ and with all the members of the Church.

When we attend Mass we are encouraged to receive the Eucharist (provided that we are not in a state of mortal sin and that we have fasted for the required hour). It is a tremendous gift that provides great grace to our souls. It is our spiritual food to help us in our journey toward heaven.

It is also a great mystery. Because the Eucharist appears to be simple bread and wine, it is easy to take the miracle for granted. Many struggle to accept the Eucharist as the true Body and Blood of Christ. Learning about Eucharistic miracles can help bolster our belief and awe in the True Presence.[ii] We can also ask God to increase our love and appreciation for the gift of the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is kept in the tabernacle inside a church so that we may visit with Jesus in a special way whenever the church is open.

At appointed times of Adoration, the Eucharist is placed in a monstrance. “Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honored with the worship of adoration.”[iii] Many Catholics make the effort to spend a Holy Hour in Adoration each week. Spending an hour in the Lord’s presence each week is a wonderful practice that can bear much fruit in one’s life. But if an hour isn’t feasible, any time spent in prayer in Adoration is time well spent.

In meditating on this mystery of The Institution of the Eucharist, let us pray for a deeper love for the Eucharist and a commitment to spend time with Jesus in Adoration.

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[i] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1331.

 

[ii] Blessed Carlo Acutis created an exhibition dedicated to Eucharist miracles. You can learn more at http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/.

 

[iii] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1418.

 

 

 

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