In our journey through the Mass, we are now approaching the “high point”, the consecration of the bread and wine to become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Now I want to be very, very clear here. As Catholics we believe that the bread and wine are changed, not the taste, smell, or appearance, (normally). It is not a symbol, nor is the belief to be held optional. This doctrine is based upon the words of Jesus, “This is my body….This is my Blood.” We believe it simply because He said so! I understand this is very challenging to acknowledge. Our physical senses do not help us, and they are not expected too. The substance changes but not the “accidents”, that is the appearance, smell, or taste, normally, (there are documented occasions where the bread and wine have transformed into tangible flesh and blood). We can say it becomes flesh that tastes like bread and blood that taste like wine. This demands our faith. We believe Jesus or we don’t! The change happens regardless of whether we believe it. This is what can cause it to become hazardous to our soul. If this indeed happens and refusing to believe it we presume to consume His sacred Body and Blood on our own assumptions, thinking symbol only, it’s just ordinary bread and wine…. We are carelessly treading on Holy Ground. We will discuss this more when we get to the reception of Communion. This transformation takes place with the priest’s use of one of the Eucharistic prayers found in the Missel, that big red book on the altar. But it is not the priest that makes it happen. The priest calls down the Holy Spirit, asking for the elements to become the Body and Blood of Christ. He places his hands over the offering as this is prayed. It will be the Words of Jesus, spoken by the priest in the Person of Christ, that makes the transformation, (transubstantiation), the change of the substance. A final thought, if the Word of Jesus makes this miraculous change, think what change it can make in you. Yours in Christ, Fr. Sid.