The Transubstantiation

 (Fr. Andrew’s Homily for Corpus Christi 2024, including Eucharistic Hymn. For music scores and sample recordings check https://domenicozipoli.org/ayala-hymns The hymns have not yet been recorded in English but only in Spanish.)

The central mystery of the Eucharist is the miracle of the transubstantiation. Let me reflect today on this mystery with a song I composed a few years ago. What is this “transubstantiation”?

1.  By the Transubstantiation

and after the consecration,

only body of Christ is there

the bread no longer exists.

There is now not wine but blood

in the chalice on the altar.

“Friends, eat, drink, be drunk with love” [1]

though is heavenly this Banquet!

 

How come, we can get drunk but it is not wine? How is this transubstantiation?

2.  This is not a transformation:

this is Transubstantiation!

Form and matter are converted

-- but the accidents are not.

What was substance of our bread

becomes substance of His body

while the appearances of bread

remain there, humble veil.

 

So, it still acts like wine and smells like wine because the accidents of wine remain. It tastes like bread because the accidents of bread remain; but it is not bread, because the substance of the bread has been converted into the substance of the Body of Christ. The substance of something and its appearances are not the same thing. Usually, the appearances of something change but not the substance, like when we grow old. God, however, can change the substance of something without changing its appearances!

Now, why did God hide Himself under the appearances of bread and wine?

4.  The whole substance of Christ’s body

is given us for salvation

not though in human appearance:

so that we may grow in faith,

so that He may reach all people

and good souls may not be frightened.

And the myst’ry must lie hidden

from the ones resisting faith.

 

As St. Paul says, salvation comes from faith in what we have heard. We have heard from Jesus: “This is my body.” Thomas was reproached by Jesus for not having believed in what he had heard. Every time we come to Communion we have to make an act of faith. This is good for us, because then the words of Jesus to Thomas apply to us as well: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

It is so important that people do not confuse the Catholic Eucharistic Banquet with other rituals of the supper present in other churches. We do not eat bread in church, nor do we drink wine:

(“Victoria” Tune)

5.  Bread’s appearances remain

to clothe the body of Christ;

even the word “bread” remains

when we say “the Bread of Life”!

But the “Bread of Life” is Jesus!

In the most Holy Communion

we eat not bread made from wheat

but the Body of our Lord!

 

Someone may say, “How is this possible?” And, what can I say?

7.  There’s no equal to this change:

change superior to Creation!

Here’s a wonder of God’s grace,

of His power and His wisdom!

We say “Transubstantiation”:

what we say may we believe!

Praised be God for such great art,

such display of pow’r and love!

 

Only God’s power can explain what we believe. We believe because Jesus said: “This is my body” and because God can do whatever He wants. Jesus said that it is His Body and, therefore, it is, regardless of what other people may think.

8.  Christ’s presence does not depend

on what some may think or not:

He’s there even if, by someone,

is denied or is despised.

Yes, the pagan may ignore it

and the child not understand it:

but when the priest consecrates,

the Lord’s body is present there.

 

This is the mystery we believe. Such a great mystery and our faith is so little! Let us finish by asking the Lord, with the song, for a deep and strong faith:

(“Gloria” Tune)

9.  May our gaze, O Christian people,

pierce the veil with deep strong faith,

may the appearance not distract us

from the truth that we have heard!

I believe! May I receive

the kiss of my Risen Lord!

I believe! May I drink always

blood of the Lamb who was slain!

 

10.  Glory to the loving Father

who has sent us His own Son.

Glory to the Son who offers

to us, faithful, His own blood.

Glory to the Holy Spirit

who converts the bread and wine.

Honor, power, praise and glory

to the Trinity Divine. Amen.


[1] Song of Songs 5:1.

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