What is the difference between the blood and body in Eucharist?

[spotschmoop]

Hello. I am a new convert to Catholicism (former Methodist) and am an avid reader/seeker of God. Last night at our charismatic prayer group (we are mostly a book discussion group which also prays together – I do not have charismatic gifts) we were discussing the topic of receiving the Holy Eucharist in one or both species and what if any, is the difference. I commented that in reading about receiving Our Lord that parishioners may receive just the body or blood (like some do for health problems; though the body is the preferred) and be receiving ALL of Jesus – that consuming just the body or just the blood does not mean you have not fully partaken in the Holy Eucharist. I also noted that when reading about this topic that the presiding priest must receive in both species. All of the others in the room, whom I greatly admire for their faith and whom have taught me much, said that while that is true, that depending on the prayers over the gifts during various seasons that the body and blood give us different graces – that they contain different roles. They likened it to our One God but the three persons each have a different role. I said that I would be very careful about assigning the body and blood different roles because you cannot separate Jesus – you are getting ALL of Him either way; that by not taking the blood does not mean you have not consumed a whole Eucharistic sacrifice. They suggested that the because of the differing prayers at some times of the year that the body nourishes us and the blood cleanses us from sin. I said that while those prayers do change during the year that it is the words of institution that are the important ones in this case since it is those words that the Holy Spirit uses to change the bread and wine into the body and blood. Next week we will be continuing this discussion as we will finish listening to an audio CD of Fr. Bill Casey on The Real Presence of the Holy Eucharist. We discussed this particular topic for some time and I just want to be sure that we are understanding this mystery as best we can. Please help!

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

I cannot imagine where your group received such wacky information. The only thing I would take issue with you about, is your statement that the host is preferred to the chalice. I know what you mean, but I would rather say that the host is offered more often than is the chalice. They are both of equal value. The Eucharistic prayer does not change with the liturgical seasons. Prayers in the other parts of the Mass change with feasts, memorials and seasons, but not the Eucharistic prayer. Actually, there are several Eucharistic prayers, but they can be used in any season.

Of course, what is most important about the Eucharist is that it is the Person of Jesus. He is a Person—not some amalgam of powers that provide aid according to our periodic needs. He could easily have instituted the Eucharist with bread alone. But by using wine as well, He is able to express the fact the He indeed died. A body that is separate from its blood has died. So the Eucharist is the great living sign of His passion. THIS is what is implied by the chalice—and this alone!

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.