Day 191: The Eucharist Changes Us

Holy Communion separates us from sin. The body of Christ we receive in Holy Communion is "given up for us," and the blood we drink "shed for the many for the forgiveness of sins." For this reason, the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins... CCC 1393

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses how the Eucharist changes us. It nourishes us spiritually, giving us His Body and Blood to become an actual part of us to help make us more like Christ. It's "not a magical solution or a quick fix but rather a deepening of our relationship with Jesus, which empowers us to resist sin and grow in holiness" (p. 146). 

The Catechism Compendium gives a good summary of today's reading:

Holy Communion increases our union with Christ and with his Church. It preserves and renews the life of grace received at Baptism and Confirmation and makes us grow in love for our neighbor. It strengthens us in charity, wipes away venial sins, and preserves us from mortal sin in the future. (#292)

I also like how the Catechism Companion, Vol II comments on this, which really speaks of what an amazing gift the Eucharist is from Christ to all of us:

When approaching the Eucharist, we must have an openness to change, recognizing the transformative power of this sacrament and being willing to be shaped and molded by it... Holy Communion goes beyond a mere symbolic act of consumption; it has the transformative effect of making us more like Christ. Receiving Holy Communion stimulates an increase in love within us, fortifying our capacity to love God and others, particularly when our love tends to wane amidst the challenges of everyday living. (p. 146)