The Sacred Host

               The Sacred Host is the Glorious Risen Body of Christ.  This for me is a new dimension in understanding the mystery of Consecration at a Eucharistic Celebration.

            Blessed John Paul II in his Spiritual Reflection on the Mystery of Faith as published by the ‘ANAWIM WAY’ Booklet writes the following:

            “For in the Eucharist we also receive the pledge of our bodily resurrection at the end of the world: ‘He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day’ (Jn.6:54).  This pledge of the future resurrection comes from the fact that the flesh of the Son of Man, given as food, is his body in its glorious state after the resurrection.  With the Eucharist we digest, as it were, the “secret” of the resurrection.”

            I have actually been wondering why we cannot see Christ in the Sacred Host when it becomes His Real Presence.  I am now enlightened by what Blessed John Paul II has said that “Christ’s Body is now in its glorious state after the resurrection.”  In the Gospels it is narrated how after the resurrection Christ appeared to his disciples, but all of a sudden he disappeared.  This must be one of the characteristics of a glorious body – its capacity to be seen or not to be seen.  In most cases it is invisible, but on certain special occasions it can be made visible.

            In the Eucharistic Celebration Christ is giving us the opportunity to exercise the Gift of Faith, by making Himself invisible although actually present.

            Being aware now of the Presence of Christ in the Sacred Host in His Glorious State, I cannot but be more attentive during the Eucharistic Celebration and as much as possible see Christ with the eyes of Faith and communicate with Him on a “face to face” and “heart to heart” manner.

            Truly aware now of the “Glorious Presence of Christ in the Sacred Host” I am more and more encouraged to make frequent visits to Him in the Blessed Sacrament at the Adoration Chapel.

            The SACRED HOST is, indeed, CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, IN HIS GLORIOUS STATE.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

August 12,  2012