St Pius X said: “Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven”. In what sense can we say that the Eucharist is the sure path that leads the Christian faithful to their heavenly abode?
The answer is to be found in Pope John Paul’s encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia. The Pope states that: “The Eucharist is a true banquet, in which Christ offers himself as our nourishment” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 16). In the Eucharist, Christ gives us his own way of seeing things, his feelings, his actions, his decisions and his being. Hence, by giving us his very self as a gift, we are given a golden chance to abide by who He is.
The believing communicant is filled with Christ, in his totality: flesh, blood, soul and divinity. In the words of St Paul the faithful can proclaim: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2, 20).
The communicant and the Eucharistic Christ become one. That is why it is important for a believer to receive the Eucharist in a state of grace. A loving and fruitful reception of Christ, the Holy One of God, in our hearts occurs when our own being is free from any grave sins. St Alphonsus Liguori teaches: “A soul can do nothing that is more pleasing to God than to communicate in a state of grace”. And St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians reminds us: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor. 11, 27).
The intimate relationship with Christ that is initiated at the eucharistic table goes beyond the sacramental celebration. The moment of adoration is a privileged place in time and space by which we can contemplate the same Christ who “went about doing good” (Acts 10, 38). Thus explains St Peter Julian Eymard: “we can actually come and adore Him like the shepherds; we can prostrate ourselves before Him like the Magi; we need no longer regret our not having been present at Bethlehem or on Calvary”. In other words, in the sacrament of the Eucharist: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever” (Heb. 13, 8).
Both the celebration as well as the adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist are lifegiving resources for a eucharistic existence. Taken as a whole they offer a eucharistic way of thinking, doing and being with God, others and, most of all, oneself. May the Eucharistic Christ transform those who approach him with ardent faith and an available heart. Maybe the ensuing prayer by St Ignatius of Loyola would open one to a eucharistic way of life, the safest way to heaven.
Soul of Christ, make me holy. Body of Christ save me. Blood of Christ, possess me completely. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within thy wounds, hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. From the wicked enemy defend me. At the hour of death call me and bid me come unto Thee, that with Thy Saints I may praise Thee forever and ever. AMEN.
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
San Gwann