Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. (John 6:54)

Why Jesus’ meal is so significant?

Isaiah said, “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples. A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” (Isaiah 25:6) He is one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. It was written in the mid to late 8th century BCE. Isaiah is the book most quoted in the New Testament. This means that it is the prophetical book that most clearly announces Jesus Christ and the Christian economy of salvation.

Let us move forward to Matthew’s Gospel, as generally believed that Matthew was written before A.D. 70 and as early as A.D. 50. “Then he [Jesus] took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. (Matthew 15:36-37) As Isaiah prophesies how the Lord will feed His people, this prophecy is fulfilled through the miracle of “The Feeding of the Four Thousand”, and continues to work today when you participate at Mass.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. (Matthew 8:8) This prayer comes after the words of the priest, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world, blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” These words are calling each person in the congregation to wake up, hopefully not from actual sleep, but perhaps a spiritual sleepiness, to acknowledge the miracle in which we are about to partake. Behold! Look who is in our midst! The priest beckons us to see, not just with our eyes but with our hearts, that we are witnessing a sacrament in which not everyone is blessed to participate. But we have been called uniquely by God himself to gather around his table. At this time, each person is invited to vocalize for himself or herself the intentionality of his or her own participation. “Lord, I am not worthy . . .”

Do I take this promise seriously?

How do I prepare myself for this blessed encounter?

St. Leo the Great wrote: “Our partaking on the Body and Blood of Christ tends only to make us become what we eat.” Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. (John 6:56)

If you are struggling to find true meaning in life, take St. Thérèse de Lisieux’s suggestion seriously. “Go often to Holy Communion. Go very often! This is your one remedy.” ― Thérèse de Lisieux, The Letters of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Mary Mother of the Eucharist, pray for us.

Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen