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The_Eucharist_eBook

Wine reminds us of the Blood that Christ poured out for our salvation, and of all the suffering there is in the world. Not only is all of our human work brought to the altar, namely the bread and wine, but also all of our human sufferings and pain. Christ is with us in all our sufferings until the end of time and he supports and helps us along our way. For this reason Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11, 28-30). The pain and suffering of every human person and of the whole world are brought to the altar so that they can be sanctified and to get meaning and hope of redemption thanks to the Blood of Christ, the Lamb without spot or stain. 32 What is the difference between a normal meal and the Eucharistic banquet? When we are speaking about regular meals, the food we eat every day, men (and women) are given greater importance on these occasions since they are the ones eating the food and assimilating it into their own bodies. In the Eucharist, the opposite takes place: Christ is at the center and he draws us into himself, he draws us out of ourselves so that we may form one body with Him and with others. 33 Who may receive Holy Communion? Every Catholic person who is in the state of grace, that is, having examined his or her conscience carefully, is aware of not being in mortal sin can receive Holy Communion. If a person were in the state of mortal sin and nevertheless approached Holy Communion, this would be a sacrilege: “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord (…) For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1Cor 11, 27-29). 112

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