The Eucharist: Remain focused on Christ

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Peter Weiss

When reading this section of St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians, it is easy to lose focus since it is almost identical to the words we hear at Mass each week.

However, upon examining the context within which Paul includes this passage, we realize that this lack of focus on the true meaning of the Eucharist is exactly what St. Paul is trying to combat.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (June 13, 2004) Gn 14:18-20 Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4 1 Cor 11:23-26 Lk 9:11b-17

In the sections surrounding the reading, St. Paul reprimands the citizens for taking the sacred meal for granted. He rebukes the Corinthians for having divisions among them, for getting drunk while others go hungry, and for not properly examining themselves before the meal.

As Christians today, we can easily fall into these same temptations. How often do we receive the Eucharist with our heart focused elsewhere? Do we truly open our hearts to the full weight of its meaning?

The manifestations change but the temptation to take the Eucharist for granted remains the same.

To combat this temptation, St. Paul focuses the attention on the command to "Do this in remembrance of me." This is not just a meal that we are sharing with our fellow believers; this is our Savior offering himself to us. It must remain within this context in order to retain its meaning.

So how can we be sure that we remain focused on Christ while receiving the Eucharist? First, we can seek to understand what this sacrificial meal truly means. The words of Jesus give us some indication: "This is my body that is for you . . . This cup is the new covenant in my blood."

In other words, Jesus is offering us a physical way to join him in the sacrifice he made for our sins. Our "Amen" is our acceptance of the suffering that Jesus underwent for our sake, our way of assuring that His sacrifice is not in vain.

Another way that we can guide our hearts towards Christ is by arriving at Mass early to give ourselves time to open our hearts to God. Ask God to quiet your heart and reveal to you what he truly wants to say to you through this meal.

	Reflection questions • What can I do to make sure that I am receiving the Eucharist with my heart properly focused on Jesus' sacrifice? • What might God be trying to tell me through the Eucharist?

When we are able to receive the Eucharist with hearts opened to what God is offering to us, then we are truly changed.

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes."

Peter Weiss is a UW-Madison junior, majoring in religious studies and history. He is a Bible study leader at St. Paul University Catholic Center.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

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