The Rant: How does the Eucharist feed me?

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Wednesday, August 27, 2025

How does the Eucharist feed me?

The Eucharist, in Christian theology—particularly within Catholicism—feeds believers not as ordinary physical food does, but as spiritual nourishment that sustains and transforms the soul. This concept is rooted in Jesus' words in the Gospel of John: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh" (John 6:51). Through the sacrament, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ (transubstantiation), providing grace and union with God. Below, I'll outline the key ways the Eucharist "feeds" you, drawing from official Church teachings.

https://www.usccb.org/eucharist

Principal Fruits of Receiving the Eucharist

These effects are described as the "fruits of Holy Communion," emphasizing spiritual growth and sustenance:

Augments union with Christ: The primary fruit is an intimate, abiding connection with Jesus. As you receive the Eucharist, you abide in Christ, and He in you, building a foundation for eternal life. This is likened to how the Father gives life to the Son, extending that life to the communicant.
Preserves, increases, and renews the life of grace: Just as material food sustains the body, the Eucharist nourishes the spiritual life received at Baptism. It acts as "bread for our pilgrimage," supporting growth in Christian living until death (when it can be given as viaticum, food for the journey to eternity).
Separates from sin and forgives venial sins: By proclaiming Christ's death, the Eucharist cleanses past sins and protects against future ones. It wipes away venial (lesser) sins through revived charity and love, helping break attachments to worldly things and rooting you more firmly in God.
Strengthens charity and preserves from mortal sins: The sacrament revives love, enabling you to live out Christ's self-giving. This makes it harder to commit grave (mortal) sins, as it deepens friendship with Christ. (Note: For mortal sins, the sacrament of Reconciliation is required first.)
Builds unity with the Church (the Mystical Body): Receiving the Eucharist incorporates you more deeply into the community of believers, fulfilling the call to be "one body" through shared participation in Christ's Body and Blood.
Commits to the poor and fosters Christian unity: It urges recognition of Christ in the needy, compelling acts of charity. It also highlights the pain of divisions among Christians, encouraging prayers for full unity, while allowing limited sharing under certain conditions with other denominations.

https://www.catechist.com/the-word-of-god-and-the-eucharist/

These nourishing effects are not one-time but cumulative, growing stronger with frequent, worthy reception. The Eucharist is seen as a "paschal banquet," directed toward complete union with Christ, healing the soul, and preparing for eternal life. For deeper reflection, it's often recommended to approach the sacrament with preparation, such as through prayer or fasting, to fully receive its benefits. If you're seeking personal guidance, consulting a priest or spiritual director can help apply this to your life.

*https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtNA%3D%3D_e0551c79-eb5a-4080-90ec-443a34b64d2b*

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The kingdom of God is among you

Luke 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’ He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.’

Live Adoration from Tyburn Convent

Adoration, also known as Eucharistic Adoration, is a Catholic prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a sign of devotion and worship to Jesus Christ, who is believed to be present in the consecrated host. During adoration, Catholics pray to Jesus Christ before the Eucharist at their local parish. The Eucharist is typically kept in a tabernacle at the parish church, and may be presented in front of a closed tabernacle or in front of the exposed host in a monstrance. A monstrance is a vessel used in Roman Catholic, Anglican, High Church Lutheran, and Old Catholic churches. It is a stand made of precious metal that holds the Blessed Sacrament during adoration. The word "monstrance" comes from Latin and means "to show".

It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household. ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me. ‘Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward. ‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

The beheading of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:1-12 Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus, and said to his court, ‘This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. Then, during the celebrations for Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head, here, on a dish.’ The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.

Psalms 9:16

The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah - Question: What does Higgaion and Selah mean? Answer: Both Higgaion and Selah are used numerous times in the Old Testament. They occur together in Psalm 9:16. The meanings of these words are uncertain. We observe Higgaion in such passages as Psalm 9:16; 19:14; 42:3; Lamentations 3:63. In Arabic, the root gives a deep vibrating sound, like the murmering sound of a harp (Psa. 92:3). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states that it may be derived from the Greek versions of Psalm 9:16 and takes it to mean an instrumental interlude. It may also mean a soliloquy or meditation such as concerning the judgment of God (Psa. 9:16), the words and work of God (Psa. 19:14), and the loving kindness and faithfulness of God (Psa. 92:2-3). In the Septuagint, Selah is translated as daplasma (meaning a division). It occurs in Habakkuk 3:3, 9, 13 and 71 times in the Psalms. It is used in 39 of our 150 psalms. Of those 39 psalms, 31 they are ones handed over to "the chief Musician." So, pause and meditation may be the predominate idea. In addition, it may mean to lift up (Hebrew, salal) or, in some definitions, a repetition, end of a strophe, or a recurring symphony. In his sermon named "HIGGAION!" about Psalm 9:16, Archibald G. Brown, on August 17, 1873, at the East London Tabernacle said this: "When the psalmist wrote this verse, and reached the words 'The wicked shall be snared in the work of his own hands', he seemed to be overpowered at the terror of the thought, and so put a full stop and wrote in the word 'Higgaion!' As much as to say, 'O my soul, meditate on the tremendous truth my hand has penned, and let all who read the same meditate.' And then after 'Higgaion' he puts 'Selah'. He would have there to be a solemn pause. Oh, I would that there could be just one moment's solemn pause in our meeting tonight. Would that there could be a Selah, a Higgaion! Friends, shall there be? I put it to you. 'The Lord is known by the judgment which he executes; and the wicked shall be snared in the work of his own hands!" Now let us just for a moment meditate on that. Let there be a solemn Higgaion, and let every heart ask itself the question, 'How do I stand in reference to this tremendous truth?' *Answer by Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr. (https://thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/47892)*

The Rant