MATTHEW 26:26–30, INSTITUTION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
THIS IS MY BODY – THIS IS MY BLOOD
Introduction
The Church celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi on the Thursday after the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, traditionally two months after Holy Thursday. In many dioceses it is transferred to the following Sunday so that the faithful may participate fully. On Holy Thursday, the Church commemorates several profound mysteries together: the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, the washing of the feet, and the agony of Jesus in Gethsemane. Because these mysteries are rich and numerous, a distinct feast became necessary to focus exclusively on the Body and Blood of Christ.
Through visions granted to Saint Juliana of Liège beginning in 1208, the Lord expressed His desire for a special feast honoring the Blessed Sacrament. After years of discernment, the Holy See approved this feast locally in Liège in 1246 and extended it to the universal Church in 1264.
Bible Text: Matthew 26:26–30
(Mt 26:26) While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
(27) Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,
(28) for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
(29) I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in my Father’s kingdom.”
(30) Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Interpretation
Background
Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist (Qurbana) while celebrating the Passover with His disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem. The Jews sacrificed a lamb in the Temple and ate it at home as part of the Passover meal, which followed a structured ritual known as the Seder, consisting of fifteen steps.
During the fourth step, three unleavened matzo breads were placed together. The middle matzo was broken, one part hidden, and later recovered during the meal. At the twelfth step, this recovered bread, known as the Afikoman, was broken and eaten with the proclamation: “This is the bread of affliction that our ancestors ate in Egypt” (Ex 13:3). It is at this sacred moment that Jesus transformed the ancient ritual into the New Covenant by instituting the Holy Eucharist, using the Afikoman as His own Body.
The Last Supper
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread”
Jesus instituted the Eucharist in the context of a meal, highlighting communion and covenant. The unleavened bread symbolized purity and freedom from sin. This act recalls Melchizedek, priest of Salem, who offered bread and wine to God (Gen 14:18). Jesus, the eternal High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek (Ps 110:4), replaced animal sacrifice with the perfect offering of Himself.
“He said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to his disciples”
By blessing the bread, Jesus invoked divine power to transform it. The breaking of the bread recalled Israel’s suffering and foreshadowed Christ’s own passion. What once symbolized affliction now became the sacramental presence of Christ’s sacrificed Body.
“Take and eat; this is my body”
Jesus did not say, “This represents my body,” but “This is my body.” Here He fulfilled His promise from the Bread of Life discourse: “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (Jn 6:51). The Eucharist is not a symbol alone but the real presence of Christ.
“Then he took a cup”
Jesus took the third cup of the Passover, known as the Cup of Redemption or the Cup of Blessing (1 Cor 10:16). The red wine recalled the blood of the Passover lamb placed on the doorposts in Egypt. Jesus revealed that this cup pointed to His own Blood, poured out for salvation.
“Drink from it, all of you”
Under the Old Covenant, drinking blood was forbidden because blood represented life. In the New Covenant, Jesus invited His disciples to drink His sacramental Blood, granting them participation in His divine life. This covenant is internal and transformative.
“This is my blood of the covenant… for the forgiveness of sins”
Jesus echoed Moses’ words at Mount Sinai (Ex 24:8), but with a decisive difference. Moses sealed the covenant with animal blood; Jesus sealed the New Covenant with His own Blood. Jeremiah’s prophecy of a new covenant written on hearts (Jer 31:31–33) is fulfilled here.
“Which will be shed for many”
Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all, yet effective for those who freely accept it. Salvation is universally offered but not imposed.
“Until the day I drink it new in my Father’s kingdom”
Jesus pointed forward to the heavenly banquet. The Eucharist is both memorial and anticipation, a foretaste of eternal joy in the Father’s kingdom.
Showbread and the Holy Eucharist
The bread of the Presence in the Old Testament foreshadowed the Eucharist. Twelve loaves representing the tribes of Israel were placed before the Lord and consumed by priests in a holy place (Lev 24:5–9). Jesus fulfilled this sign when He declared, “I am the bread of life” (Jn 6:35). Today, the Eucharist remains continually present in the tabernacle.
Origin of the Feast of Corpus Christi
Visions of Saint Juliana
Saint Juliana of Liège received visions of the Church symbolized as a full moon with a dark spot, representing the absence of a feast honoring the Blessed Sacrament. For over twenty years, Christ urged her to bring this message to Church authorities.
The Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena
In 1263, a priest named Peter of Prague experienced a Eucharistic miracle at Bolsena, Italy, when blood flowed from the consecrated host during Mass. The miracle was investigated and reported to Pope Urban IV, who resided in Orvieto.
Establishment of the Feast
Moved by the miracle and the visions of Saint Juliana, Pope Urban IV instituted the universal Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264 through the papal bull Transiturus. He commissioned Saint Thomas Aquinas to compose the liturgical hymns for the feast.
Message
Let us acknowledge with gratitude the Lord who provides both material and spiritual nourishment.
Let us show reverence in church, recognizing the altar as God’s throne and the tabernacle as the dwelling place of Christ.
Let us guard against routine and approach the Holy Mass and Holy Eucharist with preparation, faith, and awe.
Let us learn from Saint Juliana that God reveals His greatest mysteries to the humble and simple of heart.
Outline for Preachers
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Liturgical Context – Holy Thursday and the need for a distinct Eucharistic feast
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Passover Background – Seder ritual, Afikoman, and fulfillment in Christ
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Words of Institution – “This is my body… this is my blood” as real presence
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Old Covenant to New Covenant – Sinai covenant versus Calvary covenant
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Eucharist and Sacrifice – Melchizedek, Passover lamb, forgiveness of sins
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Eucharist and Heaven – foretaste of the eternal banquet
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Corpus Christi History – Saint Juliana, Bolsena miracle, Pope Urban IV
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Pastoral Application – reverence, preparation, faith, humility, gratitude
