What does E-U-C-H-A-R-I-S-T stand for?

Trying to remember key concepts of the Eucharist calls for the use of an acrostic framework. This memory aid can enable us to retain the primary facts and at the same time keep the pertinent information at our finger tips.

E in Eucharist stands for Eternal life. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:54). Jesus gives us everlasting life. Eternal life is a desire in the heart of every person. Every time we eat the body and drink the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is a pledge of our future salvation of living forever and ever. Eternity is infinite, time without end. St. Thomas states that God would not put the desire for eternal life in our hearts if it were not going to be fulfilled.

U in Eucharist stands for Union with Jesus Christ, Who is Life. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him" (John 6:56). Our union with Jesus is intensified in every reception of the Holy Eucharist by increasing sanctifying grace in us. Mother Teresa of Calcutta explained that in Holy Communion we touch Jesus. St. Vincent de Paul stated we leave Jesus in prayer to find Jesus in people.

C in Eucharist stands for Christ Jesus, totally truly present. Many parishes have responded to Pope John Paul II's call for Perpetual Adoration which brings about tremendous spiritual healing and strength. "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" (John 20:29). We in our lives accentuate the positive and celebrate this great gift of Jesus' real presence, the gift of real life.

H in Eucharist stands for Healing. It is important to come to the Eucharist open to Healing of mind, body, soul and life. The Eucharist can help to nourish and sustain us. It is at Communion when we are closest to Jesus that we can ask for whatever we need according to His Will. He is present in the Living Consecrated Bread because He loves us now, and wants to remain with us. This is why He taught us in the Our Father, "Give us this day our daily bread."

A in Eucharist stands for Abandonment. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me" (john 14:1). Jesus abandons Himself, His Life to us on the Cross and again in the Sacred Host. This calls us to great respect for the Eucharist, Jesus Christ, present in our midst, Emmanuel. St. Maximilian Kolbe offered to take the place of a man who was condemned to die by starvation. He abandoned himself to the Lord and gave us an example of dedication and unselfish love for a neighbour, allowing him to live.

R in Eucharist stands for Reconciliation. "If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions" (Matthew 6:14). Pope John Paul II has said that the Holy Eucharist restores life, and leads to Reconciliation and Reconciliation leads to the Eucharist. There is a healing power in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, that is real and available. Jesus heals us in some way every time we go to Him in Holy Communion. Now is the time to frequent the Sacrament of Confession and prepare for the Bread of Life. We should strive to imitate Pope John Paul II, who forgave the man who tried to kill him.

I in Eucharist stands for Intimacy. "Remain in me, as I remain in you" (John 15:4). The Eucharistic Presence of Christ begins at the moment of consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsists. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1377) The most personal relationship in our lives is that with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus waits for us to come and share with Him as a friend, our best friend. We should approach Him with the heart of Mary, who was closer to Jesus than anyone else, asking her to show us the way to His Sacred Heart. Pope John Paul II spends hours before the Blessed Sacrament every day. He challenges us to visit regularly. Jesus calls to us: "Will you not spend an hour with Me." Mother Teresa stated that the hours spent before the Blessed Sacrament are some of the most important hours of our lives.

S in Eucharist stands for Sacrifice. "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37-38). Archbishop Fulton Sheen stated that we should never let our suffering go to waste. We should give it to the Lord so He can take it to the Father and intercede for us, our families, our loved ones and our lives. We should join our lives, our sufferings and joys, with the suffering of Jesus Christ, with the offering of the bread and wine which becomes the body and blood of Christ.

T in Eucharist stands for Transformation. It also stands for Thanksgiving. Like St. Paul we are challenged to convert, to put aside what is not of God. We should give God permission to change what needs changing in our lives, and to imitate Mary and do only the Will of God. "Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). All the lepers were healed by Jesus. Only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus. Let us thank Him daily for the Gift of Life by participating in Mass as often as we can.

* This article is reprinted with the permission of Catholic Home Schoolers' Association-Ontario.

Father James Whalen is the parish priest of Sainte-Marguerite-Marie parish in Cumberland, Ontario.