While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it and giving it to his disciples said, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, 'Drink from it all of you for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins."
Mt. 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24; Lk 22:17-20;1Cor 11:23-25
Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world ..."
We get the opportunity to become like God through our life in the Church. Sacraments of initiation introduce a person into the life of the Christian community, which is a life based on God's love for us.
We are therefore always urged to love one another, in his image and likeness. You can see this the first time that you celebrate the Eucharist and every time thereafter.
In receiving the Body and Blood of Christ (i.e. Christ's very self), we receive the essence of God, we let God touch us. This touch, in turn, moves us to treat each other with greater respect, forgiveness, and compassion. His friendship urges us to be friends.
