The Lord Jesus brought a whole different meaning to atonement for sin. He revealed the Father’s heart in a way we could easily relate to. In Him, we see the father who leaves no stone unturned to save His children. A remote place with no food was no hindrance for the Lord Jesus to feed His followers, as He was connected to the Father, receiving His instructions. He drew the creative power from the Father, to meet their physical need. He knew it was useless to preach to hungry people! The availability was enough to meet the need, and much more! In His presence people were fed, healed, freed and delivered.

When it was time for the Lord to leave, He wanted His disciples to continue enjoying the prosperity and abundance of grace He brought to the world. He was not happy to leave us a philosophy to follow. Instead, He desired us to have Him, the source of joy and abundance. So He became our food and drink, to satiate our inner hunger and thirst. Rather than leaving us with a spiritual theory, our Lord desired for simple bread and wine to become His flesh and blood at the proclamation of His words, through the power of the Holy Spirit. ‘Transubstantiation’ means the conversion of the substance of the Eucharistic elements into the Body and Blood of Christ at consecration, only the appearances of bread and wine remain.

As we receive the living Christ at the Eucharist, we receive the same grace as those He ministered to in Galilee. Are we sick? He is the Healer. Are we bound and oppressed? He is the deliverer. Are we blind, deaf, mute or paralysed? He is able to give us sight, hearing, speech and strength to move. Are we sunk deep in depression and confusion? He can bring brightness and clarity to our minds. Are we living in sin? The Light of the world is in us and the rivers of living water awaits to cleanse us and put on the robe, the ring and the sandals, presenting us to the Father as His beloved son or daughter. If it has not happened yet, it is because the door handle is only on our side, not on the Lord’s.

St Paul says, “whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Cor 11:26) His death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for all the sins of the world. The veil that separated the supernatural from natural, was torn from top to bottom, connecting heaven and earth, when the Lord Jesus declared from the cross, “It is finished.” (John 19:30). He reconciled us to the Father with the same relationship they enjoy. Let us believe and proclaim this truth each time we partake of His Body and Blood. Let us not waste the most precious gift He left for us: His own self.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for the most precious gift You gave us. We pray that You change us to the nature of the One who is living inside of us. Amen.