Easter and the Eucharist

A blessed and joyous Easter to one and all! He is truly risen! How appropriate it is today to look at the connection between the great feast we celebrate today and the sacrament of Jesus in the Eucharist.

We can say with certainty that the risen Jesus is the Eucharist. How truly profound it is to know that the Resurrection isn’t celebrated on just one day of the year. Indeed every time we partake in the Eucharist, the Resurrection continues before our very eyes.

Easter is by its nature a Eucharistic feast. In both Easter and the Eucharist we celebrate the belief that Jesus is present to us in ways that he could not be before he died for us on the Cross. Easter and the Eucharist are intimately linked together.

In the Eucharist, we receive the Real Presence of Christ. But isn’t it also true that in Holy Communion, Christ also receives us? He does this so we may be transformed in love. Everything about us is received: our joys, sorrows, pains, sins, sufferings and hopes. Those things in our lives that are dark and negative are put to death, while those aspects of our life meant to be preserved are brought to new life. Isn’t this what Jesus first did on the Cross at Calvary? And isn’t this what Christ did first by rising from the dead on that first Easter Sunday?

It is fitting, therefore, that the Church requires us to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, during the Easter season. All Christian hope is rooted in the Resurrection. That hope continues in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. In both, we have the assurance of the presence of the Lord, now and in the life to come. May we celebrate the glorious Resurrection of our Lord each and every time we partake in his Real Presence during Holy Communion.

“Communion with the flesh of the risen Christ, a flesh ‘given life and giving life through the Holy Spirit,’ (Presbyterorum ordinis, no. 5) preserves, increases, and renews the life of grace received at Baptism.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1392.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at eucharist@stmli.org.