Christ: Sacramental Body related to Mystical Body

 

    For me, the consideration of how the sacramental Body of Christ (Eucharist) is linked to the mystical Body of Christ (the Church) begins with the fact that one flows from the other. Christ, consubstantial with the Father, existed before all time. Because of God’s love for us, Christ came down from heaven and became man. His life, death, and resurrection were not only salvific for mankind but were given freely, just as during the Last Supper Jesus himself instituted what became our Mass, including of course the Eucharist. The Apostles and other disciples were tasked with carrying on this celebration/memorial, which of course though changed is what we DO today! The gift of salvation was freely offered, and the gift of the Eucharist was freely given too. We must keep in mind that Christ is indeed present at mass, and that actual work is being done in and through mass. Things are happening! 

     It is in this economy of salvation that we have the circular relationship between the Church and ourselves, for mass and particularly the Eucharist have been described as both “source and summit” of our lives. We participate in mass and celebrate and receive the Eucharist in order to “become what we are.” St. Irenaeus of Lyons put it this way: “Jesus Christ, in His infinite love, has become what we are, in order that He may make us entirely what He is.”

     In the article “Finding Jesus in the Eucharist” by Lawrence Mick, the author tells us that Jesus is in fact present in the Eucharist in four ways: “in the assembly that gathers in Christ’s name, in the Priest of Bishop who presides, in the word proclaimed in our midst, and in the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine.” Christ, fully present in our midst, in us, in the Eucharist, and also IN EACH OTHER, is with us even today whenever two or three gather in his name, as at mass and particularly during the portion of mass surrounding the Eucharist. The Body of Christ on earth, the mystical Body, (namely us the parishioners), is in intimate contact and communion with each other and with Christ present in the Sacramental Body of Christ. It is worth noting that to go from “Become what we are” to “Become what we ate” we only need to change one letter, to a cross! The Sacramental Body of Christ in the Eucharist feeds the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, both spiritually and literally. 

    As a Sacrament, the Eucharist is "efficacious," having an unseen effect beyond any symbolism, yet inextricably linked with that symbolic action. Thus the Eucharist and the Church (which remember is people) are linked forever and could be said to be "consubstantial with one another" though of course we the parishioners are far from sinless and far from perfect. Christ has offered this union, this covenant, and we need only accept it and follow what was once called "The Way", which of course can only be had through Christ.