Homily: Friday - 3rd Week of Easter 2016 - Many Names, One God

A few weeks ago, the second grade teacher down in the school asked me to talk about the Eucharist with the kids.  They were getting confused because the Sacrament of Holy Communion has so many names. It’s called Holy Communion, Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament, the Body and Blood of Christ, the Holy Sacrifice, the Bread of Angels, the Bread of Life and Cup of Eternal Salvation, and several others.

Why so many names for just one Sacrament?

Well, in Scripture, God himself has many names. He is called Elohim, the mighty one, El-Shaddai, God Almighty, El Elyon, The Most High God, El Olam, The Everlasting God, Adonai, the Lord God, and he reveals his name as, Yahweh, He Is Who Is. He is called Creator, Father, Deliverer, the Ancient of Days, the Holy One, King, Judge, Lawgiver, Light, Redeemer, Shepherd, Salvation.

Jesus himself has many names, he calls himself “The Son of Man, the Son of God”. He’s called, Son of the Most High, the Alpha and the Omega, The Word, the Righteous One, the Lion of Judah, the King of the Jews, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Bridegroom, He calls himself the Bread of Life, the gate, the good shepherd, the way the truth and the life, the true vine.

So, in a sense, it is fitting that Holy Communion, the Eucharist has so many names, because Jesus has many names, and the Eucharist is Jesus.

And each of the names reveals something about Him.

The Sacrament is called Holy Communion” because through it our bodies and souls are united to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This sacrament is often called the “Blessed Sacrament” because unlike the other Sacrament where Jesus performs a holy action, this Sacrament IS Jesus, the Holy One.

This sacrament is sometimes called the “Holy Sacrifice” because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior on the Cross. As he gave himself on the cross, he gives himself in this Sacrament for us and for our salvation.

Sometimes this sacrament is called the “Bread of Angels” because the angels adore this Sacrament because it is Jesus Himself. Though they cannot be seen, countless hosts of angels are with us in the celebration of Mass to offer their worship and adoration along with ours.

The Sacrament is called Eucharist because it is through this Sacrament that the Church gives the ultimate, highest thanksgiving to God for Jesus’ saving death on the cross.

The Sacrament is called the Bread of Life because Jesus says that whoever eats this bread will live forever.

The Sacrament is called his Body and Blood because at the Last Supper he transformed bread and wine into His Body and Blood, and in today’s Gospel equates the Bread of Life with his Flesh and Blood.

A biblical theologian said, the name of God is given so that he might be adored by that name.  As we celebrate and receive the Most Blessed Sacrament today, let us recognize with ever greater love and devotion the one in whose name we are saved, Jesus the Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.