Hidden Mystery of our Real Life!

Fr. Francis Scaria

Transubstantiation is a theological explanation referring to the transformation that takes place at the Eucharist whereby the bread becomes the body of Christ and the wine becomes the blood of Christ. Externally nothing seems to have happened, but the internal reality has changed. The bread and wine do not lose their external appearances, but the inner reality is changed. Instead of appearing in his majesty, Jesus appears in the simple forms of bread and wine. With those simple forms, a great and precious mystery is hidden.

After uttering the words of consecration at the last supper, Jesus said, “Do this in my memory”. When we are consecrated by God at the Ordination or Religious Profession, the transformation that is effected is in line with the transubstantiation. There is an internal change taking place although externally we remain same. When Jesus was living in Galilee and Judea a great mystery was hidden in his very person. Although people perceived only a carpenter’s son in him, a great mystery was hidden within that simple appearance. Jesus does not attach much importance to the external appearances.

This is a model for us. While our appearance may be and should be ordinary, we should be conscious of a deep mystery hidden within that ordinary appearance.