Who would you ask if Jesus’s true presence is in the Eucharist?
ME
Good morning!
And happy Solemnity of Corpus Christi! Today we celebrate the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist - the Most Holy Blood and Body of Christ.
Let me start with a story that has always stayed with me. Some people who work in banking, especially those who handle cash every day, are remarkably good at spotting fake bills. They don't need a machine. They simply glance at it, touch it, and know.
Someone once asked them: “How do you do it?”.
The answer was: “We spend a lot of time with the real money, handling it, touching it, examining it, feeling it.” The bankers can recognize the TRUE money because they spent a lot of time with the real thing.
Now, I know who to ask if I need help checking a $100 bill — someone who knows the real thing.
My question to you is -
Who would you ask to find out about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? Who would you believe? // Not sure?
Let's try to answer this question in another way. Have any of you stepped in the Vesting room? The room where priests and deacons get ready before Mass?
In the vesting room there is a replica of the beautiful painting of Caravaggio titled the "Supper at Emmaus,” based on Luke 24. It tells the familiar story of the two disciples walking to Emmaus. On the day of the resurrection, with their hearts heavy with grief from witnessing the death of Jesus, they leave Jerusalem and start walking towards the town of Emmaus. On the road as they discussed their disappointment about Jesus and his promises, the risen Christ joined them on the way and started conversing with them, but they didn't recognize him. As they reached Emmaus they told him: “Stay with us and spend the night as it is getting dark.” At the dinner table at the point of the breaking of the bread, the two disciples jumped off their seats and finally recognized that Jesus was in front of them! The breaking of the bread made Jesus present to them. Their hearts were transformed with more Faith, Hope and Love - and they quickly turned around and went back to Jerusalem and testified to the apostles what they had seen.
The painting in our vesting room captures this moment at the table when they experience that Jesus was in front of them, and astonished and surprised they jump out of their seats!
Let me ask you again, Who would you ask if the true presence of Jesus is in the Eucharist?
The early Christians that experienced the resurrected Christ were transformed like the two disciples at Emmaus. And what we know is that they gathered, again and again, to break bread — not out of routine, but because they knew: that Jesus was truly present in the breaking of the bread. Because they experienced in the Eucharist that same Jesus that they have come to know in the flesh and powerfully in the resurrected body.
And the early Christians were compelled to bring this good news to everyone all the way to give their life for it - and many did gave their lives for it.
GOD
The second reading, the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians is the earliest account of the Eucharistic formula: “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
It was written by Saint Paul around year 53 well before any of the gospel. Also consider that Saint Paul was not at the last supper - he converted around the year 35, a couple of years after the resurrection.
So, where did Saint Paul get the Eucharist formula if he wasn’t at the last supper and the gospels were not written? He received it from those who had known the Risen Lord firsthand — most likely from Saint Peter himself.
Saint Paul came to believe that the Eucharist was the true presence of Jesus from the people that personally knew Jesus in the flesh and the resurrected Christ.
It is significant that the Church adopted the Eucharist formula in use today from this passage from Saint Paul and not from the gospels. The reason is because it is the earliest account we know - the most original to the initial testimonies.
If I ask you now - Who would you ask about the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? Will your answer be different?
Saint Paul asked the people that spent time with the real thing that came in touch with the resurrected Christ - they knew the truth well - they knew the Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus.
YOU
The early Christians, still echoing with the joy of the Resurrection, were drawn again and again to the table to break the bread like the two disciples at Emmaus - not out of habit but because they recognized the Risen Lord in the breaking of the bread.
They experienced a profound transformation of their heart through that. A transformation that led them to an increase of Faith, Hope and Love.
it all started with a simple invitation of the two disciples, “Stay with us.”
WE
As we line up to receive Jesus in the Eucharist I invite you to take a simple step, open your heart and pray like the two disciples at Emmaus, “Stay with me Lord”, that I might experience you ever more deeply.
