St Ambrose of Milan wrote: ‘You have read that in the creation, the words of Christ have power to change the natures of the elements. You have read that in the creation of the whole world He spoke and they came to be; He commanded and they were created. If Christ could by speaking create out of nothing what did not yet exist, can we say that His words are unable to change existing things into something they previously were not? It is no lesser feat to create new natures for things than to change their existing natures. … The Lord Jesus himself declares: “This is my Body”. Before the blessing contained in these words a different thing is named; after the consecration a Body is indicated. He himself speaks of His Blood. Before the consecration something else is spoken of; after the consecration Blood is designated. And you say: “Amen”, that is: “It is true”. What the mouth utters, let the mind within acknowledge; what the word says, let the heart ratify. … Christ is in that sacrament, for it is the Body of Christ. It is therefore not bodily food but spiritual. Thus the Apostle too says, speaking of its symbol: “Our fathers ate spiritual food and drank spiritual drink. … Finally, it is this food that gives strength to our hearts, this drink which gives joy to the heart of man, as the prophet has written’.

As we give thanks today for the precious Body and Blood of Christ, we pray for healing, strength and renewal, wherever it is needed, including in our own hearts, and may God bless you and bring you much joy today.