18. Eucharist & Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament

18. Lineamenta on the Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist and the Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament

Jesus Christ gathered together his apostles for the last supper and took bread and give thanks to God (Lk 22:19; I Cor 11:24; Mk 14:23; Mt 26:27). This thanksgiving meal is the beginning of the Eucharist, the sacramental meal wherein the gracious gift we respond with gratefulness is the salvific reality placed therein by Christ, which is Christ himself with his being and work. Hence, we say that the Eucharist is the actualizing of the salvific reality Christ, through the words of thanksgiving, uttered over the bread and wine. This supper with his apostles wherein Jesus broke bread and shared the cup with them with his words “This is my body…this is my blood” he has summed up in it his whole messianic being and work, give his followers concentrated expression in a visible and even edible blessing and bequeathed them the sacrament of the Eucharist. From this institution of the Eucharist by the historical Jesus which the Church celebrates by virtue of the authority and the commission which was expressly given to her by him has evolved from the apostolic tradition’s breaking of the bread (I Cor 11:23ff.) to the present post-Vatican II Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Vatican II Constitution of the Church clearly states the meaning of the Eucharist to the people of God: “Taking part in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, which is the fount and apex of the whole Christian life, they offer the divine victim to God, and offer themselves along with It. Thus, both by the act of oblation and through holy Communion, all perform their proper part in this liturgical service, not, indeed, all in the same way but each in that way which is appropriate to himself. Strengthened anew at the holy table by the Body of Christ, they manifest in a practical way that unity of God’s People which is suitably signified and wondrously brought about by this most awesome sacrament.” (Lumen Gentium [LG], 11) PCP II states that the Eucharist, led by the priest who is “the servant-leader of a Eucharistic community”, is the center of every Christian community. “No Christian community is built up which does not grow from and hinge on the celebration of the most holy Eucharist….The center of the assembly over which the priest presides is the Eucharist and every work of the apostolate is directed to it.” (PCP II, 523)
What is vital is not a “mere multiplication of Masses or the rubrical perfection of Eucharistic celebrations” but “that the whole assembly should become a living offering to God joined to the Eucharistic sacrifice” (PCP II, 524). The Plenary Council reminds us that “Priests in the ministry should continue to develop their preaching skills and the art of presiding meaningfully in Eucharistic celebrations” (PCP II, 180) and to all the faithful “to return the Eucharist to its rightful place—at center of our private, ecclesial and societal lives and not at its fringes” (PCP II, 181)
The Eucharist as wellspring of a vibrant Christian community does not only foster the community celebration that keeps us in touch with the dynamic power of Father, Son and Holy Spirit that holds us together, it also helps us to internalize the deeper meaning and relevance of the Eucharist to our lives through Eucharistic devotions. Perpetual Eucharistic adoration, Procession, Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, novenas and prayers to Blessed Sacrament and other Eucharistic renewal movements are growing in popularity and number. These devotions offer avenues for heighten social awareness and concern since our contact with God in prayer and the Eucharist makes us grow in the fervor of witnessing to our faith concretely into a “faithful, creative, persevering and visible commitment.” (PCP II, 199)

Questions for small group discussions:
How should Eucharistic celebrations be done in our parish, Christian communities and groups?
What efforts should be done to make our Eucharistic celebrations relevant to our culture and situation and would heighten the awareness of the people for social concern and responsibility?
Are our Eucharistic devotions helping us to be better Christians and facilitate the transformation of our society?