Dear Parishioners,
Continuing our discussion of Adoration, today I’d like to talk about what it means that Jesus is present in the Eucharistic Host.
The catechism says, “The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained." "This presence is called 'real' - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present" (CCC 1374).
The church recognizes that Christ can be present in many ways. Christ is present in his creation. He is present in the hearts of the baptized faithful. He is present when two or three are gathered in his name. But only in the Eucharist is Christ substantially present. To be substantially present means you can point to it and say, “that is Jesus”. While the Christ is present in the soul of a baptized person, we cannot point to it and say that is Jesus. In our souls, Jesus is present spiritually. In the Eucharist he is present substantially.
With this gift of the Eucharist, Christ invites us to come and spend time in his real presence. Just as a couple, when separated, long to be in each other’s presence, so our hearts long to be in the presence of Our Lord. No words need to be spoken; we just want to be with him.
That is what we do in adoration.
God Bless,
Fr. David