Watch the Homily Short

Listen to the Homily Short

What is the New Testament? In this Homily Short, discover why the Eucharist is the New Covenant of Christ and the source of communion, transformation, unity, and mission for every believer.

Read the Homily Short

What Is the New Testament? The Eucharist

One of the most profound questions we can ask is this:

What is the New Testament?

Many people, especially in some Protestant traditions, would answer by saying that the New Testament is the portion of the Bible that runs from Matthew through Revelation.

That answer is close—but those books are actually the books of the New Testament. They bear witness to the reality of the New Testament itself.

The New Testament is the Eucharist.

The Word of God points us toward the sacrament that is present upon the altar. The Scriptures testify to the saving work of Jesus Christ, which becomes sacramentally present at every Mass.

On the night before He died, Jesus took bread and said:

“This is my body, which is given for you.”

Then He took the cup and said:

“This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

The New Testament occurs every time the Holy Spirit is called down upon the gifts and the words of institution are spoken. Through the power of God, the bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

The promise Jesus made on Holy Thursday was fulfilled on Good Friday when He poured out His blood upon the Cross and died for our salvation.

God the Father sent His Son into the world to live for us, die for us, and rise again so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life.

Every Mass brings us to the threshold of heaven.

If we had eyes of faith to truly see what is happening, we would recognize the incredible gift before us.

So what does the Eucharist mean for us?

Communion

The Eucharist is communion. It is a living union and relationship with God Himself. Through Holy Communion, we are drawn into intimacy with the Lord who loves us.

Nourishment

The Eucharist nourishes our souls. God feeds His people with heavenly food and strengthens us for the journey of faith.

Transformation

The Eucharist transforms us.

Christ heals the wounds caused by sin. He brings healing to our hearts, our minds, our relationships, and every aspect of our lives. Through His grace, He continually forms us into the people He created us to be.

Unity

The Eucharist unites us as one body in Christ.

As we gather around the altar, we become more deeply connected not only to God but also to one another. We walk together as brothers and sisters in faith, sharing in the same Lord and the same mission.

Mission

At the end of every Mass, we are sent forth.

The Church dismisses us with a purpose: to proclaim the Gospel.

As St. Paul writes:

“As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

The Eucharist is not only a gift to receive—it is a mission to live. We are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world until He comes again in glory.

Looking Toward Heaven

One day, in the next life, we will no longer need the sacraments.

Why?

Because we will have the reality they point toward.

We will see the Lamb seated upon His throne.

There will be no more tears.

No more sickness.

No more suffering.

No more poverty.

No more fear.

No more longing left unfulfilled.

Jesus Himself will satisfy every desire of the human heart beyond anything we can imagine.

Until that day comes, God has given us the Eucharist.

The New Testament.

The living presence of Jesus Christ among His people.

And every Mass is an invitation to encounter Him anew.