Eucharist and Family in God’s Plan of Salvation

By: Bro Friendian L. Estoconing

The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324) which occupies a unique place as the “Sacrament of sacraments” (CCC 1211). For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the church, namely Christ Himself, our Pasch (CCC 1324). For this truth which the church holds so dearly, the Eucharist must be the center and the soul of a holy Christian family. The family as the basic unit in society (Merriam Webster, 2012) serves as the living temple of the Eucharist (1 Cor. 3: 16).

To understand further the relationship of the Eucharist and the family, let us try to look back on the covenants made by God to His people. His covenant with Adam was marriage, with Noah was a household, with Abraham was a tribe, with Moses made the twelve tribes into a national family, with David established Israel as a national Kingdom family and finally, Christ, made the New Covenant to include all nations as God’s family both Jews and Gentiles (Rome Sweet Home, 1993).

As we can see, God is not primarily interested to have a personal relationship. His main goal is to make us one (Jn. 17:11) through His Son Jesus Who is the true vine (Jn. 15:1-2) in the body of Christ which is the church (Col. 1:18). This church as the new family of God through Jesus Christ professes oneness in body, Spirit, and hope, with One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph. 4:4-5).
Just as the creation continues, so must also be the works of salvation. The Lord by His mercy and abundance of grace gives this responsibility to the first bishops of His church with St. Peter as its visible leader on earth chosen personally by Jesus (Mt. 16:18) to feed and tend His sheep (Jn. 21:17). Thus, we are fed by the Body and Blood of our Lord (Jn. 6:54). Jesus instituted the Eucharist in order to perpetuate the Sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages, until He will come again. Furthermore, He wanted us to be in communion with Him by partaking of His Body and Blood. We are what we eat: if we eat earthly food we remain mortal beings, if we eat eternal food we shall live forever (Rev. Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, 2012).

Let us follow the example of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. “All for His glory and for the welfare of souls.” Amen.