The Eucharist - Our Pilgrim Bread of Hope

As pilgrims of hope in this Jubilee Year 2025, the faithful gather to celebrate the supreme gift of Christ’s Body and Blood in the Eucharist. The liturgical readings of the day reveal how God has continually nourished His people—from Melchizedek’s ancient offering to Christ’s miraculous feeding—culminating in the Eucharist, the “source and summit of Christian life” (Lumen Gentium 11). This sacrament is our ultimate source of hope, anchored in the real presence of Christ, for as Scripture assures: “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).

I. Melchizedek Prefigures Christ's Eternal Priesthood:

The Old Testament figure Melchizedek, offering bread and wine (Genesis), prefigures Christ’s eternal priesthood. St. John Chrysostom describes him as appearing “without genealogy” to highlight Christ’s unmatched priestly role. St. Jerome connects Melchizedek’s blessing of Abraham to Christ’s priesthood, which elevates all believers and strengthens confidence in God’s eternal plan.

II. Christ's Eternal Priesthood Anchors Perpetual Hope:

Psalm 110 affirms Christ as a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” a role that transcends time. Pope Benedict XVI noted this priesthood extends to all humanity. St. John of Damascus taught that Christ’s sacrifice is “eternally efficacious,” and every Mass makes us participants in Calvary. His unchangeable priesthood (Hebrews 7:24) becomes a foundation for enduring hope.

III. The Last Supper Institutes Hope's Memorial:

At the Last Supper, Christ instituted the Eucharist as a living memorial. St. Augustine wrote, “We receive what we are and become what we receive.” Vatican II and the Catechism affirm the Eucharist as central to Christian life. Saints from Thomas Aquinas to John Vianney testified to its transformative power.

IV. Divine Providence Multiplies Hope:

Luke’s account of the feeding miracle shows Christ’s compassion and divine providence. Twelve baskets overflow, symbolising grace’s abundance. St. Thomas Aquinas saw this miracle as a sign of Eucharistic nourishment. Pope Benedict XVI observed that Christ turns scarcity into abundance, satisfying every hunger.

V. Eucharist Transforms Pilgrims into Hope's Missionaries:

The Eucharist sends forth hope’s missionaries. As Pope Francis reminds us, it is “not a prize for the perfect but nourishment for the weak.” From St. Thérèse of Lisieux to St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Eucharist sustained lives of radical love and service.

VI. Adoration Deepens Hope's Foundation:

Adoration deepens this foundation. Saints such as Faustina, Alphonsus Liguori, and Blessed Carlo Acutis found in silent worship a wellspring of hope rooted in Christ’s fidelity.

VII. Eucharist: Pledge of Eternal Hope:

The Eucharist, “earth’s closest approach to heaven” (Fulton Sheen), unites the Church across time. It fosters community, heals wounds, and inspires vocations—from priesthood to motherhood, as seen in lives like St. Gianna Beretta Molla’s.

VIII. Eucharistic Healing: Hope's Restorative Power:

As St. John Chrysostom warned, “Do not honour the Eucharistic Christ with silk vestments, and then, leaving the church, neglect the other Christ suffering from cold and nakedness.” This Jubilee Year, the Eucharist is our bread for the journey—our pledge of eternal hope, our unity in faith, and our call to live Christ’s love until we reach our true home.

“Do not honour the Eucharistic Christ with silk vestments, & then, leaving the church, neglect the other Christ suffering from cold and nakedness” (St. John Chrysostom).

Questions for Reflection

1. How does regular eucharistic participation strengthen your hope during life's trials and uncertainties?

2. What practical steps can transform you into a more effective witness of eucharistic hope in daily encounters?

3. How might deeper appreciation for Christ's eternal priesthood revolutionize your understanding of Mass as hope's wellspring?

Fr. Valerian Lobo

Jamshedpur Diocese