Lesson 3: Meet Jesus in the Eucharist

This page is for SMA Family Faith Formation Catechists only. Content for this lesson is linked below.

Summary of Lesson

In our journey of faith, we need nourishment along the way, and Jesus gives us his own self as our food. Jesus taught us about the Eucharist at the Last Supper. At Mass, bread and wine become Jesus’ Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. At Mass, we get the strength we need to overcome life’s difficulties and to live our faith courageously. Seeing Jesus in the Eucharist is sometimes hard to understand, but if we have faith, and see with “eyes of faith”, then we can look at the Sacred Host and believe that it is Jesus! Faith is a gift that helps us to see Jesus. The gold box, behind the altar, is called a “tabernacle”; this is where Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is kept. Whenever we pass a tabernacle, we should bow to Jesus. Sometimes, Jesus is placed in a “monstrance” for us to be with him and pray to him. Spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is called “adoration”. To “adore” means to worship and love someone deeply.

Meet the Saints Bullet Points:

Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist.
At Mass bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus.
The Eucharist is one of the greatest gifts in our life!
The tabernacle is where the Blessed Sacrament is kept.
We can “adore” Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament during “adoration”.

Scripture Passage: Matthew 26: 26-28

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Discussion Prompts/Questions:

What does it mean to you to “see with eyes of faith”?
Why do you think Jesus left us the gift of the Eucharist?
Think of a time when you were really hungry. Do you think you could have run a race when you were like that? Or you could have gotten an A on a test when you were like that? When we are hungry, it is hard to do great things. The same thing happens in our spiritual life. When we are “filled” with Jesus, we have the strength to do great things.

Saint of the Month: Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro, SJ (Feast Day: November 23rd)

Blessed Miguel lived in Mexico, during a time of great persecution. Catholics were not allowed to practice their faith – they were not allowed to go to Mass, not allowed to visit Church, not allowed to celebrate Holy Days. Blessed Miguel had to leave the country to be ordained a priest, but after he was, he returned to Mexico to minister to people “undercover”. He sometimes dressed in disguise in order to visit people in their homes to bring them Holy Communion. He was eventually caught, though, and put to death for spreading the faith.