Deacon Dave Etters
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What is the New Testament? In this Corpus Christi homily, we explore the profound truth that the Eucharist is the New Testament—the New Covenant established in the Blood of Christ. Discover how every Mass draws us into the sacrifice of Calvary, nourishes our souls, unites us as one body, transforms our lives, and sends us on mission to proclaim the Gospel.
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The Eucharist: The New Testament Written in Christ’s Blood
Good morning, and welcome to our Corpus Christi celebration.
I’d like to begin with a question:
What is the New Testament?
Many people would answer that the New Testament is the collection of books from Matthew through Revelation. That’s close. Those are the books of the New Testament, but the New Testament itself is the Eucharist.
The sacred writings of the New Testament bear witness to the sacrament that is present upon this altar.
Years ago, biblical scholar Dr. Scott Hahn emphasized this profound truth. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Passover meal. Taking bread, He said:
“This is my body, which is given for you.”
Then, taking the cup, He declared:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
The Greek word often translated as “covenant” can also be translated as “testament.”
The great Jesuit biblical commentator Cornelius a Lapide explained these words beautifully:
“This cup is the New Testament in my blood, in which my new covenant is written and signed, giving you my heavenly inheritance. Written not with ink, but with my blood.”
Every time the priest invokes the Holy Spirit and speaks the words of institution, Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity become present upon the altar. In a mysterious way, we are drawn into the heavenly worship of the Lamb.
The disciples did not fully understand this mystery on Holy Thursday. When Jesus was arrested, they scattered in fear. Yet the promise He made at the Last Supper was fulfilled on Good Friday as He poured out His blood upon the Cross.
Christ promised His inheritance on Holy Thursday and delivered it on Calvary.
Like a living will and testament that passes an inheritance to heirs, Jesus gives us His very life. Through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, He grants us a share in His divine life and eternal inheritance.
After Pentecost, the apostles were transformed. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they understood what had happened. The early Church gathered around the worship of Christ and the celebration of the Eucharist.
Centuries before the canon of Scripture was formally established, Christians gathered around the altar. The letters of Paul, Peter, and the other apostolic writings were passed among the churches because they directed believers to Christ and His saving work made present in the Eucharist.
The sacrament preceded the document.
The Second Vatican Council’s document Lumen Gentium teaches that:
“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life.”
St. Peter Julian Eymard expressed the same truth when he said that beyond the summit of the Eucharist, there is nothing left but heaven itself.
Each Mass brings us to the threshold of heavenly glory.
Five Gifts of the Eucharist
1. Communion
The Eucharist is communion with God.
Jesus taught that unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we have no life within us. Through Holy Communion, Christ’s life flows into our own. We are united with Him in intimate fellowship and relationship.
2. Nourishment
The Eucharist nourishes our souls.
The Psalmist speaks of being fed with the finest wheat and satisfied with honey from the rock. Christ feeds us with heavenly food, sustaining us for the journey of faith.
3. Transformation
The Eucharist transforms us.
Before receiving Communion, we pray:
“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
Christ heals us through His grace. He heals the wounds caused by sin and strengthens us amid life’s struggles. The Eucharist is a profound encounter with the healing love of God.
4. Unity
The Eucharist makes us one.
St. Paul reminds us that though we are many, we share in one loaf and become one body in Christ. Through the Eucharist, we are united not only with Christ but also with one another.
5. Mission
The Eucharist sends us forth.
At the end of every Mass, we are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel. As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again.
The Eucharist is not only a gift to receive; it is a mission to live.
Food for the Journey
In ancient Greek culture there was a custom called hodoiporion, a provision given to someone embarking on a journey. Food, clothing, money, and other necessities would be provided for the traveler.
The Latin Church adopted a similar concept known as viaticum.
Today, viaticum often refers to the final Holy Communion received before death. Yet its deeper meaning reminds us that the Eucharist is provision for the entire journey of life.
The Eucharist is food for pilgrims.
It strengthens us through every joy and sorrow, every trial and triumph, as we travel toward our heavenly homeland.
One day, we will no longer need the sacraments. We will see Christ face to face. There will be no more tears, no more sickness, no more poverty, no more suffering.
Every longing of the human heart will be fulfilled in Him.
But until that day comes, Christ continues to feed us.
Until then, we have the Eucharist.