Corpus Cristi

"There is no difficulty about Christ's presence in the Eucharist as in a sign, but that He is truly present in the Eucharist as He is in heaven, this is most difficult. Therefore to believe this is especially meritorious." - St. Bonaventure

"The Lord did not say: This is a symbol of My Body, and this a symbol of My Blood but: 'This is My Body and My Blood.' He teaches us not to look to the nature of those things which lie before us and are perceived by the senses, for by the prayer of thanksgiving and the words spoken over them, they have been changed into Flesh and Blood." - Theodore of Mopsueta

For this reason the Fathers took special care to warn the faithful that in reflecting on this most august Sacrament, they should not trust to their senses, which react only the properties of bread and wine, but rather to the words of Christ which have power to transform, change and transmute the bread and wine into His Body and Blood. For, as those same Fathers often said, the power that accomplishes this is that same power by which God Almighty, at the beginning of time, created the world out of nothing.

Anyone who approaches this august Sacrament with special devotion and endeavors to return generous love for Christ's own infinite love, will experience and fully understand -- not without spiritual joy and fruit -- how precious is the life hidden with Christ in God[69] and how great is the value of converse with Christ, for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road of holiness.

All of those thoughts and quotes come from the Encyclical Letter Mysterium Fidei (Mystery of Faith), written by Pope Paul VI on the doctrine and worship of the Holy Eucharist. Since today is the Feast of Corpus Cristi, or the Body and Blood of Christ, I thought it was appropriate to quote some of it.
In the Church, nothing is more important, but also more debated, than the reality of the Body and Blood of Christ. So many people see the bread and wine as symbolic of the Body and Blood -- but it is just not true! It IS the Body and Blood. It truly is! Our simple, human minds are incapable of comprehending this. The common expression "seeing is believing" comes to mind. We cannot see that it has changed; in fact, its physical appearance remains bread and wine. But its substance has changed.

Transubstantiation (n.) - a change in the form or substance of something. 

It might be my favorite word in the English language; not because it has some wordy definition, but for the simple truth it states. Yet, how complex we make it when it is used to describe the Eucharist. How little faith we have in the words of Christ! He says, clear as day, in John 6:22-59 everything there is to understand about the Eucharist. And our option is to accept it or deny it.
He doesn't say, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my symbolic flesh for the life of the world." No, he clearly states: "the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." (6:51) His flesh is the bread.
"For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink." (6:55) True, not a symbol. Also, the word used for eats throughout this passage is the classic Greek word for an animal eating meaning either "munch," or "gnaw." John means for the idea to be graphic and real. He doesn't want people to think it is symbolic. If he meant symbol, DANG IT! he would have said "symbol." So let's stop fighting over Christ's words.

But how can we fault people for arguing over this petty issue (sarcasm...)? Even Christ's own disciples did not all accept this teaching. "As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him." (6:66) And although it is tough to see people leave the Church, I would rather people choose based on such a crucial issue as this than on something silly like order of the Mass or in Martin Luther's case, human failings within the Church. At least it proves they are trying to understand it. I also think, though, that by choosing to have faith in it you prove your belief in Christ better than any other manner. Nothing says, "I have faith in Christ Jesus" better than the humility to accept the things we cannot see. "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (John 20:29b)

Most likely I am preaching to the choir. But maybe you know someone who isn't sure about the Eucharist. Bring 'em to Church. Explain to them the fact that we believe it truly is His Body and Blood. Don't lay it on them right away that we munch or gnaw on Jesus (it might lead them to be as the disciples who couldn't accept it), but just emphasize that it is a MYSTERY and we must accept it in faith. Make sure they understand that if you believe that Christ is the Savior of the world, the Son of God, then everything he said and taught must be true, including truths we cannot comprehend well due to our human nature. Have them read through The Bread of Life Discourse. Let them know that Christ will open their eyes to see if they are willing to let Him; whether they are Muslim, Christian, or whatever religion, having open eyes should always be a fundamental reality of faith. That's what it is - believing in the unseen. If not, you are not going to progress in life no matter where you are or what you say you believe. And most importantly, pray for them... possibly by offering up the Eucharist for them ;-)

I pray that the Holy Spirit can penetrate your heart and befit you with a great love and devotion for the Blessed Sacrament today and the rest of your life, and you can represent that to all you meet.