On this solemnity of the Catholic Church we celebrate the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. We do so in hearing—and in understanding—the context of the Gospel of Luke and the account of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

What does the Catholic Church teach about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic meal? We believe the Eucharist to be the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in both the Precious Blood and the Sacred Body of Christ. In the words and action of the epiclesis—“invocation" or "calling down from on high") is the part of the Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer) by which the priest invokes the Holy Spirit (or the power of His blessing) upon the Eucharistic bread and wine (from the Greek meaning). It is in this power and action that we believe that mere bread and wine become for us the Body and Blood of Christ. This more than 2,000-year old belief and practice separates us from most of the denominational Christian churches which separated from the Roman Catholic Church at different times in human history and for various reasons; and that is why the Roman Catholic Church is not a denomination of Christianity since we did not denominate from another but rather are Apostolic in nature, founded by Christ and continues today with a clear linage from Christ Himself to our current pope, Francis.

In today’s gospel we hear in the words of the blessing before the meal and in the actions of Christ a sign of the Eucharist. The context for today’s gospel comes to us from Jesus who just before this reading sends out His twelve apostles into the world to preach the Good News. They were very successful and King Herod hears of their successes and is nervous and wants to know “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” Herod actually thought John the Baptist whom he just beheaded had come back from the dead. So just who is this Jesus? Scholars tell us that Luke is about to give us a key answer in the context of the account of the loaves and fishes—and Luke will also answer for us who we are supposed to be as the Disciples of Christ.

According to Father Greg Friedman, OFM, we are told that the story of the loaves and fishes tells us that “Jesus is about hospitality, especially for the poor; that He makes the crowd feel welcome even in a deserted place. Next we see a glimpse of the Last Supper in which we hear in words about what Jesus does with the loaves and fishes (the blessing) and then we see the mighty power of God in Jesus by the outcome of the feeding of the crowds—everyone is filled, satisfied with the great abundance of food. Even the Old Testament is fulfilled were very successful and when King Herod hears of their successes and becomes nervous and wants to know “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” Herod actually thought John the Baptist whom he just beheaded, had come back from the dead. So just who is this Jesus? Scholars tell us that Luke is about to give us a key answer in the context of the account of the
loaves and fishes—and Luke will also answer for us who we are supposed to be as the Disciples of Christ.

Finally, earlier in this gospel we hear of the Beatitudes and in today’s account they are fulfilled too in the ‘Blest are they who hunger now, for they will be satisfied.’” Context is important as we celebrate this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and, as we wonder sometimes, in faith about the Real Presence and our own lives. What are we hungering for? Are we in need of physical nourishment, spiritual needs? How will we seek to satisfy our needs?

Will we go to the Bread of Life and be nourished in the Sacraments and in prayer—and then will we let our lives nourished by Christ leading us to be His \disciples, modeling our lives after His. This is how we become His disciples and so His evangelizers in the world around us—the reason for our creation and Baptism. We’ve all asked. why am I here? To Believe in Christ. To Live in Christ. To Share in Christ. Amen