"Behold, I am with you always"  As we look back at those words of Jesus, we realize that he was talking about more than a memory, more than a promise, more than a dream. He was talking about the reality of remaining with us through time and space.  The Second Vatican Council spoke about the many ways in which Christ remains present to us, but underscored that His presence in the Eucharist is especially profound. “‘Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us,’ is present in many ways to his Church: in his word, in his Church’s prayer, ‘where two or three are gathered in my name,’ in the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned, in the sacraments of which he is the author, in the sacrifice of the Mass, and in the person of the minister. But ‘he is present...most especially in the Eucharistic species.’”(CCC #1373)

Behold, I will remain with you always! Jesus was talking about his Eucharistic presence by which the substance of bread and wine are transformed into the substance of his Body and Blood through his word and the action of the Holy Spirit. In the Eucharist we acknowledge in faith that Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Our senses convey the accidents of bread and wine, but our eyes of faith reveal to us the hidden mystery: It is the Risen Lord Jesus Christ! It is the Bread of Life Himself come down from heaven! In the words of the Benediction hymn: “Down in adoration falling, Lo! The sacred Host we hail; lo! O’er ancient forms departing, newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying where the feeble senses fail.” (To be continued)