Visit to the John Fisher School (part 3)

This is the third instalment (but the end of part 2) of the notes of my talk on the Eucharist. I had intended highlighting during the talk the question about Jesus Christ having a true human body, but didn't do it as clearly as intended. It indicates a fulfilment, in the mystery of God's becoming man, of the original covenant with creation represented by Noah. Physical matter - the forms of bread and wine in the Eucharist - will be the way in which God comes to us in the Eucharist, too, so that again can be seen as flowing from the original covenant with creation.

2.3. The New Covenant: Jesus Christ

9. What is the full and definitive stage of God's Revelation?
The full and definitive stage of God’s revelation is accomplished in his Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, the mediator and fullness of Revelation. He, being the only-begotten Son of God made man, is the perfect and definitive Word of the Father. In the sending of the Son and the gift of the Spirit, Revelation is now fully complete …

82. Why is Jesus called “Christ”?
“Christ” in Greek, “Messiah” in Hebrew, means the “anointed one”. Jesus is the Christ because he is consecrated by God and anointed by the Holy Spirit for his redeeming mission. He is the Messiah awaited by Israel, sent into the world by the Father. Jesus accepted the title of Messiah but he made the meaning of the term clear: “come down from heaven” (John 3:13), crucified and then risen , he is the Suffering Servant “who gives his life as a ransom for the many” (Matthew 20:28). From the name Christ comes our name of Christian.

92. Did Christ have a true human body?
Christ assumed a true human body by means of which the invisible God became visible. This is the reason why Christ can be represented and venerated in sacred images.

John 1:1-3, 9-12, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made….The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; …. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

The Ark of the New Covenant, used at the Eucharistic Congress, does not include a representation of the mercy seat of the Old Testament covenant. Instead, the upper part of the Ark shows a series of images relating to Jesus Christ - whose presence in the Eucharist replaces that represented in the mercy seat of the Old Testament covenant.