That the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ follows the solemnity of the Trinity is not a mere coincidence. Rather the former flows from the latter. As the refection of last Sunday remarked, the life of the Trinity is the life of love, the participation in the Body and Blood of Christ is to share in this life (of love) of God. The Eucharist is thus a love feast – yet not in the empty understanding of feast, rather it is a holy immersion into the life of God. It is to commune with God and hence to become communicants. To be a communicant is not defined by the mere fact of reception of the Holy Communion, it is to become someone who participates in the life of God. It is deeper than the ritual of the Eucharist and goes deeply to the mystery that is lived out in that very auspicious moment.

Besides, but still intrinsically linked with, the mystery is the transformation that the Eucharist brings in us. As communicants we are to act as images of God (imagines Dei) who act out the life of God, namely love, in our every contact, relationship, connection and interaction with others. To become Eucharistic is to bear in our bodies the very life of God (cf. Gal.6:17); it is to become an imprint of godliness, burning with love with the utmost desire to share the goodnews.

As such, the Eucharist has consequences not only for the recipient but also for the entire world. For the recipient, the participant in the life of God, it is the challenge of living in a godly way – in peace, love, joy and righteousness, and to share this life in the streets of the world. And for the entire world, it is the opportunity to be transformed by the life and activities of those who participate in the life of God. Thus apart from the protological participation of all creation in the life of God, as creatures of God, graced and sustained by God, there is a second and secondary participation that comes from the effects of the lives of those who participate in the Body and Blood of Christ. Only Eucharistic beings can win the world for God.

Be Eucharistic. Be love!