Holy Eucharist –Food for Life’s Journey

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Eucharist-Thoughts to Share with Children

1. Imagine going on a long journey – like a month-long hike in the wilderness. Some of the walk will be easy; some will be hard. You will have challenges, perhaps dangers. You will need nourishment and water. You will need rest and directional help… (Talk with each other about such a situation. Then relate it to Jesus as Eucharist – food and rest and shelter and direction –on life’s journey) When we receive Holy Communion, we are receiving Jesus as food for our journey. When we sit in a church or chapel and gaze on the tabernacle or the monstrance, Jesus gives us rest and direction.

2. Eucharist is the “REAL PRESENCE” of Jesus, not a mere sign or symbol or representation of Jesus.

3. Eucharist IS the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ contained in the FORM of bread and wine.

4. It is in the Mass that bread and wine are changed – transformed – into Jesus’ body and blood when the priest prays the words of Consecration.

5. Jesus understood and used the literary technique of simile – where he compared two things that are “like” each other. For instance, “The kingdom of heaven is LIKE a wedding feast.” But he did not use the word “like” when he explained Eucharist. Instead, he said, “This IS my body This IS my blood.”

6. Jesus called himself “the living bread.” At the Last Supper he said: “Take, eat; this is my body” Drink from the cup all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26: 26 – 29)

7. Catholics call the Eucharist the Most Blessed Sacrament. Consecrated hosts are reserved in the tabernacle and a burning sanctuary lamp signals the Real Presence. Sometimes a large consecrated host, contained in a glass case called a luna, is visible in a Monstrance vessel and set on the altar for all to see. Prayer on these occasions is called adoration. Some parishes arrange to have the Monstrance always on display and devout Catholics pledge to sit watch for a specified amount of time. This practice is called Perpetual Adoration