|
The Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ — The New Covenanat
The old Mosaic Covenant was established by Moses after receiving the tablets of the Law of God. Moses ordered the sacrifice of young bulls, and then he sprinkled half of the blood on the altar and the other half on the people, saying: “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you.” This signified the binding contract of the Israelites to obey God’s Law.
The fulfillment of this covenant was used during the Old Testament to confirm the Israelites’ commitment to obey God’s Law and to appease His just wrath.
In due time, God began revealing to the prophets, little by little, the New and Eternal Covenant through the sacrifice of His Son. This took place in the New Testament through the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.
Isaiah 1:11
"The multitude of your sacrifices — what are they to me?" says the Lord. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats."
Psalm 40:6–8
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire — but my ears you have opened — burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come — it is written about me in the scroll."
8 "I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart."
As we read Isaiah in the Old Testament, the Word of God (Jesus) reveals His conversation with God the Father, who is not pleased with the old sacrifice of animals. Jesus answers in Psalm 40 that He will assume a body to be sacrificed to obey God’s will: "Father, not my will, but your will be done. Your law is written in my heart."
Hebrews 10:5
"Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.'"
Explanation:
The Last SupperAt the Last Supper, Jesus, as the Highest Priest of the Order of Melchizedek, prophesying His coming Passion and Death, instituted the Holy Eucharist. In this Sacred Sacrament, we truly eat His Body and drink His Blood to be purified from our sinfulness. Jesus instituted this new, everlasting Covenant, which abolishes the old one with animals’ blood for the forgiveness of sins.
He truly is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world by His Sacrifice on the Cross: His Passion, Agony, and Death.
The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us of the important Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist — the central mystery of our Catholic faith.
Faith is the Words of JesusOur faith depends on believing, living, and practicing the words of Jesus:
John 6:51–58
51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.
57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
The Catholic Church uses the words of the Gospels during the Consecration. It is a reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, following His instructions — a memorial of His death. During the Consecration of the bread and wine, as in the Last Supper, the holy offerings are raised — as Jesus was raised on the Cross — and the humble bread and wine are transformed spiritually into the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This mystery is defined by the Church as Transubstantiation. While the appearances of bread and wine remain to challenge our faith, Christ is truly present — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. This is the great mystery of our faith.
The bread and wine consecrated become the true Flesh and true Blood of Christ, as has been confirmed scientifically and through many Eucharistic Miracles.
Consecration of the Bread and Wine as the Flesh and Blood of ChristBy the authority conferred by Jesus to the Apostles, their successors, and all ordained Catholic priests, with humility and reverence, they all say these words at the Consecration of the Holy Eucharist during Holy Mass:
Matthew 26:26–28
(For the bread):
"Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you."
(For the wine):
"Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me."
THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
|
