The Eucharist complements Christian initiation, as well as the source and summit of life. The other sacraments and ecclesial services are related to and are directed towards the Eucharist.
• The Eucharist has a large number of names, which is also a sign of its richness. Each of the names shows a certain aspect of the sacrament. The Greek word eucharistein itself means a blessing that glorifies the works of God. So it is people’s thanksgiving to God.
• The Lord’s Supper and the breaking of Bread are names related to Jesus’ last supper. It was also precisely after the act of breaking the bread that the disciples recognized Jesus during the feast of his resurrection. The Holy Sacrifice means that the only sacrifice made by Christ becomes present during the Holy Mass.
• The sacred and divine liturgy is the name that determines the central place of this sacrament in the entire liturgy of the Church. Hence the name of the Blessed Sacrament, because the Eucharist is the most important sacrament of all. Communion because we unite ourselves with Christ by participating in the Holy Mass and receiving His Body and Blood.
• Finally, the name of the Holy Mass, which comes from the final mission of the faithful (Latin missio), which is an invitation and encouragement to do God’s will in your daily life.
By receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion, we are united with Jesus himself. The received Body of Christ accomplishes in our spiritual life what bread and other food do in the bodily life. The Eucharist strengthens a love that weakens in daily life and enables us to free ourselves from our disorderly attachments. Finally, the Eucharist makes us root in Christ. There is no clearer sign of hope in a new heaven and a new earth than the Eucharist.
(Lu 16:10)