The Body of Christ – Holy Eucharist and Sacred Assembly

Patty and Garth Christian figured they couldn’t possibly miss the presentation taking place at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee: “Mystical Body of Christ – the Church.” 

“The Eucharist is our life,” Patty said. “We came here to learn more about this great mystery and deepen our faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.”

Said Garth: “Holy Communion gives us life and love, which grow in us as we nurture them. It strengthens our marriage and our love for each other and for other people.”

So the couple, oblates at the Abbey for almost seven years, made the trip, from Denison, Texas, to take in the monthly Day of Reflection, led by Father Simeon Spitz, O.S.B. 

Participants from across Oklahoma and Texas gathered to learn how to appreciate the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist more deeply, how to communicate God’s love to non-believers and how to draw the young generation of Catholics to the Eucharistic celebration and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. 

Father Spitz walked the attendees through the practical aspects of theological teachings on the Eucharistic liturgy.

“The gathering of the assembly is the very first liturgical action,” Father Spitz said. “We gather and Christ comes to be present with us. It is his promise, his pledge of our faith. It is not a ‘maybe.’” 

He encouraged the participants to be more attentive to the mystery of Christ’s presence and his union with his Church during the Eucharist.

“We are a part of a mystery that is literally mind-boggling,” Father Spitz said. “Christ in the person of the priest gives his own body and blood (himself) to the Body of Christ (the assembly of the faithful). We can claim: Christ is giving Christ to Christ.”

He highlighted the union among the members of the Mystical Body of Christ.

“When we receive the Holy Host, we become one with Jesus and the Holy Trinity,” Father Spitz said. “And by receiving Holy Communion as the assembly (one Body of Christ), we become one with one another and all Christians sharing in the Holy Communion around the world – the pilgrimaging Church, and also with the triumphant Church and the faithful departed.” 

Speaking about the responsibilities of each Catholic, he explained, “When we sin as individuals, we hurt the person we offended, we hurt ourselves slowing down our progress in virtue, we offend God by breaking his commandment of love, and … finally we hurt the entire Church of Christ. Because we are one in Christ through the mystery of the Eucharist, we need to be more cognizant and keep reminding ourselves that our individual trespasses put a burden on all believers.” 

Father Spitz emphasized that the Eucharist helps overcome vices and fosters perseverance in the daily struggles.

“Saint Augustine said of the Eucharist that we become what we consume, and what we consume, consumes us,” Father Spitz said. “We need to be the light and the salt of the world. Our part in the celebration of the Eucharist is essential.

“We all have a variety of gifts to share with other Church members. We all have a role to play and a contribution to make in the Church of Christ as one assembly.”

He stressed that love is the greatest gift, engaging attendees who were active in discussions on  scripture passages (1 Corinthians 11 and 12) Father Spitz chose to address the union and uniformity of the “Mystical Body of Church with the Body of Christ” in the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist. 

“Nowadays many Catholics don’t fully appreciate that the Eucharist is a gift and a grace from God, which keeps us engaged in the Church, enabling us to do what we are called to do as disciples of Christ,” said Toni Starkey, from Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Altus.

“To me, the nourishment of the Eucharist is both physical and spiritual. Christ loves us so much, he gives himself to feed us. I’m stunned. I can’t even explain it.”

Summarizing the day, Father Spitz urged the participants to share their faith with people in the world.

“Our faith and our understanding of the sacred mysteries can stay lit only when we pass it on,” he said.

Father Spitz closed the retreat with words of encouragement and an invitation to spend personal time with Christ.

“If you struggle with your faith or your understanding of the sacred mysteries of the Eucharist and the Holy Church, come to adoration!” he said. “You will experience the powerful real presence of Christ which will bring healing to your body and soul.”

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photos: (Above) Fr. Simeon Spitz taught “Discerning the Body: Holy Eucharistic and Sacred Assembly” at a Day of Reflection on Jan. 27 at St. Gregory’s Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur St. in Shawnee.

(Below) Adoration during the Day of Reflection. Photos Jad Ziolkowska.