St. Thomas Aquinas once said that the Holy Eucharist is the only instance of change we encounter in this world that is exactly the opposite of everything else. The appearances of bread and wine stay the same, but the very essence or substance of these realities, which cannot be detected by a microscope, is totally transformed. What was once bread and wine are now Jesus' Body and Blood.

A handy word was developed to describe this unique change. Transformation of the sub-stance, what stands-under the surface, came to be called transubstantiation.

What makes this happen? The power of God's Spirit and Word. After praying for the Spirit to come, the priest, who stands in the place of Christ, repeats the words of Jesus: This is my Body, This is my Blood.

One could compare this to Genesis 1: The mighty wind (read Spirit) whips over the surface of the water and Gods Word resounds. Let there be light and there was light. It is no harder to believe in transubstantiation than to believe in Creation.

But why did Jesus arrange for this transformation of bread and wine? Because he intended another kind of transformation. The bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ which are, in turn, meant to transform us.

Ever hear the phrase: you are what you eat? The Lord desires us to be transformed from a motley crew of imperfect individuals into the Body of Christ, come to full stature. Our evangelical brethren often speak of an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus.

But I ask you, how much more personal and intimate can you get? We receive the Lords body into our physical bodies that we may become him whom we receive!