WHAT IS MEANT BY THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST?

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the very heart of the Mass. Using one of the approved Eucharistic prayers, the priest prays over the gifts, ask the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them, recites the narrative of consecration, elevates the host and cup for the faithful to reverence and proceeds to call to mind the passion, resurrection and glorious return of the Lord Jesus. In this sacred, sacramental action the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ and we, through our participation in this mystery of faith, share spiritually in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Saint Justine describes this great prayer of thanksgiving and then notes “when he has concluded the prayers and acclamation by saying: ‘Amen.’ In describing the liturgy of the Eucharist, the Catechism tells us that “We carry out this command of the Lord by celebrating the memorial of his sacrifice. In so doing, we offer to the Father what he has himself given us: the gifts of his creation, bread and wine which, by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the words of Christ, have become the body and blood of Christ. Christ is thus really and mysteriously made present” (1357).
Then comes the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. We read in the General Instruction that at this point in the Mass “the priest then shows the Eucharistic bread for communion to the faithful and with them recites the prayer of humility in words from the Gospels. It is most desirable that the faithful receive the Lord’s body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass and that, in the instances when it is permitted, they share in the chalice. Then even through the signs communion will stand out more clearly as a sharing in the sacrifice actually being offered”. If we turn to the Catechism we read that “Holy Communion augments our union with Christ.” The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus. Indeed, the Lord said: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (Jn.6:56). Life in Christ has its foundation in the Eucharistic banquet: “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me” (Jn.6:57) (1391).