Originally published at Orange County Catholic
CHILDREN LOVE STORIES about their parents, especially what they were like and what they did when they were the same age. Even we adults are often interested in the lives of our grandparents and family tree. The rise in genealogy websites attests to this. Thankfully, as Catholic Christians, we belong to another family as well. Through our Baptism we become members of the Church and are privileged to address God as “Father,” “Abba” or “Daddy,” a relationship introduced to us by Jesus. He also invites us into another relationship, one of intimate and loving union with him through the Eucharist.
Many of us are familiar with the story of the Last Supper and the Institution of the Eucharist. “Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’
And likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.’” (Lk. 22: 19-20)
Jesus, knowing His death was imminent and not wanting to part from His beloved apostles, chose this most intimate way to continue His
