Sacrament of the Eucharist

“What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” (Ps 116:12).

We priests who celebrate the Eucharist daily ask ourselves this question constantly. Because we know that we are not worthy of this infinite grace and mercy. We are witnesses to Eucharistic miracles, but also to miracles that occur in the sacrament of penance, that is, in the confessional. Each of us could probably recall many such events, when we knelt before God's majesty and praised God for the wonderful beauty of the sacramental mystery.

As we contemplate the great mysteries of the sacrament of priesthood, let us turn our attention today to the testimony of Blessed Father Michał Sopoćko, confessor of St. Faustina Kowalska and apostle of Divine Mercy. His profound understanding of his vocation can become a guide for us in our sacramental life.

In his notes, Father Sopoćko wrote about priesthood:

"Every time I celebrate the Holy Sacrifice, I feel unworthy of such great grace. I say the words of consecration with trembling, knowing that through my unworthy hands the miracle of changing bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ takes place."

The Holy Thursday liturgy also reminds us of the sacrament that Christ instituted that evening – the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

We priests know that in reality, as a worthy thanksgiving to God, we can only offer the Holy Eucharist, i.e. the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. For nothing else is able to atone for the gifts and graces of God, or for the offenses and our sins.

That is why today, on Holy Thursday, first together with the bishop in the cathedral and later in the parish church, we raise once again "the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord". We know how priceless each drop of blood in the Blessed Sacrament is.

Blessed Father Michael explained what priestly responsibility is in the context of administering the sacraments:

"A priest is not a priest for himself, but for others. He is a bridge connecting God with people, a guide leading souls to eternity. Therefore, a priest who does not pray, who does not live the Eucharist, is like a dried-up spring that cannot give water to the thirsty."

In his reflections he emphasized the importance of the unity of all the sacraments:

"The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, and especially of priestly life. A priest who lives the Eucharist becomes the Eucharist for others – he gives himself, offers his time, strength, health, and even life for the salvation of souls. Such a priest does not need many words to proclaim Christ – he himself becomes the living Gospel."

We priests, who experience God's mercy constantly, offer today a sacrifice of praise and eucharist on this holy altar. Here, before all the people, we fulfill our religious vows and fulfill our obligations as priests of the Most High God.

On this Holy Thursday, remembering our Christian vocation and the testimony of Blessed Michał Sopoćko, we ask Christ, the High Priest, to strengthen us through the holy sacraments. May each Eucharist that we celebrate and participate in be a true source of grace for us and for the whole world.

Amen.