Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI
Reflection for June 22, 2025

Reflection for June 22, 2025

More than bread and wine

Eucharist is the Real Presence of Christ who feeds us with courage, compassion and confidence

by Sister Francis Bangert

After having celebrated two significant feasts of our faith, the feast of Pentecost and the Most Holy Trinity, we now reflect on the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ ... the Eucharist. All the readings for today focus on food.

We are what we eat. A daily diet of fatty foods rich in calories harms our health. A daily diet of nutritional, plant-based foods improves our health. We are what we eat. This is not a new learning. Back in the Third Century, St. Augustine of Hippo observed this reality and recognized the importance of repeated practices to inspire and change us.

At every gathering around the Lord’s table, we believe that bread and wine are changed. During the Eucharistic Prayer they become the Body and Blood, the Soul and Divinity of the Risen Christ. This is the mystery of our faith ... that Christ has become our food.

St. Augustine wrote, “If you receive the Eucharist well, you are what you eat. Since you are the Body of Christ and his members, it is your mystery which you receive. As you come to communion you hear the words 'Body of Christ' and you answer 'Amen.' Be, therefore, members of Christ that your 'Amen' may be true. Be what you see. Receive what you already are.” (Fr. George Smiga, “You Are What You Eat”)

So how should the frequent reception of this mystery transform us week after week, to become more kind, more caring, more compassionate? Christ has overcome the evil in the world -- betrayal, rejection, loss, suffering, even death. He feeds us with His Risen life. That life-giving food we receive gives us courage and confidence to face our fears, anxieties and the issues that are part of our lives: healing of fractured relationships, comfort in loss, peace in times of confusion, conflict and chaos, forgiveness of those who have hurt us.

The Risen Christ who is now at the Father’s right hand with limitless power and inexhaustible love gives us the strength and confidence we need. May our Amen to the “Body of Christ” be strong and confident because we have become what we eat ... Bread for the world.

Originally published 6/19/22

10 Comments

Sister Agnes Fischer
06/20/2025 8:46 am

Thanks, Fran for the reminder that we are what we eat.

Every time I bring Communion to Maria she is sincere in her gratitude. It makes me wonder if I am grateful enough.

Bless you,

Aggie

Sally Ann
06/20/2025 9:57 am

Sister Fran,

Thank you for your deeply enriching meditation on the extraordinary gift from Jesus, His own Body and Blood in the Eucharist. What a treasure for us - to be able to receive His Body and Blood as food for our journey! Yes, and what a challenge for us - to "become what we eat." It can only be attained with the help of Jesus' Holy Spirit.

Monica Sawyn
06/20/2025 10:00 am

The Eucharist changes us, but I think it happens if we listen to his voice all through the day. We have to want to be changed, and to change our ways.

Keith
06/20/2025 12:10 pm

Sister Francis: A very meaningful reflection ...Thank You!

Linda
06/20/2025 12:18 pm

About 40 yrs. ago I read a book about one of the St. Catherine's (Siena or Genoa). It was recorded that in her great love for the Eucharist, she had said, "If we are sincere in 'What' and 'Who' we are receiving into our lives and into our hearts in Eucharist, it only takes one Communion to make a saint." I was exceedingly grateful and inspired by her insight of truth. I shared this beautiful gem in an adult education group I was attending at the time and the OMI priest facilitating the discussion so very naturally responded, "Yeah, the saints have said some pretty incredible things." I was very grateful for his response, as I knew he understood. Another potent theological concept from Vatican II is that since WE are the Living Body of Christ, we give and receive each other, along with the Person of Christ, in our Communion of [spiritual] awareness.

Diann Wimmer
06/20/2025 1:23 pm

With the situation of the World today, I pray with you, Sr. Fran, that we may be "Bread for the World". May the gift of the Eucharist extend to all the people of the world to bring love, peace and joy for all.

Debbie Tahany
06/20/2025 7:24 pm

Sister Fran!

Thanks for reminding us that "We are what we eat." Being Eucharistic Minister for me is both a privilege and a concern as I see externally a diversity of how eucharistic is received. Pray for each of us that we grow in an appreciation of the gift the Eucharist is.

Linda
06/21/2025 12:37 pm

I like what Monica said, "The Eucharist changes us, but I think it happens if we listen to his voice all through the day. We have to want to be changed, and to change our ways."

Monica's is a good description of growing in spiritual awareness within and throughout each and every day. Spiritual development happens in real life.

The Franciscan concept, "From the gospel to life; from life to the gospel," i.e., pray with Scripture and take it with you into your day; at day's end [or throughout the day] bring the day's encounters and happenings into your prayer [with Scripture], is a tried-and-true, treasured spiritual practice.

Lois
06/21/2025 5:11 pm

Sister Francis, thank you for the power-packed reflection!

SR ROSE JOCHMANN
06/23/2025 5:08 pm

Thank you for this beautiful reflection on Corpus Christi! What a beautiful gift indeed!

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