The Eucharist: Its relation to the creation of the universe
Let us look at the Eucharist in its most
fundamental context. Why did God institute it?
To answer this question, we must begin where
the whole Catechism begins, which is where
all reality begins.
“God, infinitely perfect and blessed in
himself, in a plan of sheer goodness, freely
created man to make him share his own
blessed life. For this reason…God draws close
to man” (CCC l). Out of the pure and unselfish
love that is his very essence, God created the
universe so that we could exist and enjoy his
love forever. To this end, he revealed himself
to the whole world through a “Chosen People,” established a covenant of love with them,
revealed his law to them, sent them prophets,
and, finally, fulfilled his covenant by sending
his eternal Son, who was born, lived, died, resurrected, and ascended so that we could be
saved from sin and united to God. Jesus Christ
the Son of God continued his presence and
work among us by appointing apostles and establishing the Church, his “Mystical Body.”
God did all this for one reason: for the loveunion with us that is achieved most perfectly
in this life in the Eucharist.
The universe is a gigantic cathedral. We
can understand the point and purpose of the
universe by looking at a cathedral. Every detail
in the great medieval cathedrals was for the
Eucharist. They were built first of all for the
Eucharist: to celebrate the Eucharist and to
house the Eucharist. Similarly, the whole
Church on earth is the “House of Bread” (the
meaning of “Bethlehem”) that Christ established for the Eucharist. This is his love’s ultimate aim, for love’s aim is union, and the Eucharist is the most intimate union between us
and Christ that exists in this world. God created the universe for this purpose, for this loveunion. He made the universe to house the
Church, and he made the Church to house the
Eucharist; so it is true to say that the ultimate
reason, in this life, for the creation of the universe is the Eucharist.
*CCC= Catechism of the Catholic Church
