I was struck by the statement, “you are what you consume,” which was part of a prayer after Holy Communion in a Mass several months ago. I thought about that and came to the conclusion that we are often unaware that what we consume may well consume us. The results can be dissimilar. We can look at various things that impact us. The media, for example, in its different forms may lead us to live in ways in tune with the culture—or be a means of “putting on the mind of Christ.” The acquisition of material goods, ever more and ever better, may leave us concerned about what possessions are on the horizon for our benefit—or how we can use them for others. And, then, there is the often hidden desire for power to control people, ideas and more—or perhaps to serve. The meaning we may be most aware of has to do with food: “we are what we eat” is a sentence we have possibly heard or seen often today. There are so many reports from health proponents about what in our diet harms us and what to eat to be healthier and to slim our waistlines.
We want to remember that the most important food we consume is the Eucharist. When the priest gives Holy Communion to us, he says, “the Body of Christ” (Corpus Christi). We consume not only the Body of Christ but also his Blood, his Soul and his Divinity. This gift enables us to become “sharers in the divine nature” (II Peter 1:3); there are no dissimilar ends. As we continue to receive the Body of Christ, we become increasingly and more firmly in the likeness of God in which God created us. The image of God that we are always remains, but our likeness to God in Christ can increase. We consume Christ, but more and more we are consumed by that which we have consumed. Then our thanksgiving (which is what Eucharist means) ought to increase with each reception of the Body of Christ. We consume not only for our life on earth but toward a glorious eternity.
Sister Gemma Pepera, CSFN
