What is the Sacrament of the Eucharist?

In one simple, profound statement, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (quoting the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium) says it all: "The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life" (CCC, # 1324). In other words, the Eucharist is the beginning and the end of Christian life. One easy way to understand that truth is to ask ourselves: "What would I feel like if I could never receive the Eucharist again?" The very thought can send chills down our religious spines, and with good reason. We believe that when we receive the host in our hands or on our tongues, we are receiving the whole Jesus-body and blood, soul and divinity. We receive our savior, our Lord, and astoundingly, our brother. To think we could not receive Jesus would be frightening! We say the Eucharist is Jesus. it's not a matter of human logic; it's a matter of faith. Ultimately, it is simply taking Jesus at his word. "This is my body, this is my blood" (Lk 22: 17-20; John 6:52-58).