Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 223 - Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 223 - Part II. In what way is the Holy Eucharist an anticipation of eternal life?

(Youcat answer – repeated) Jesus promised his disciples, and us with them, that we will one day sit at table with him. Therefore every Holy Mass is a “memorial of the blessed Passion” (Eucharistic Prayer I, called the Roman Canon), the fullness of grace, and a pledge of future glory.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1404) The Church knows that the Lord comes even now in his Eucharist and that he is there in our midst. However, his presence is veiled. Therefore we celebrate the Eucharist "awaiting the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ" (Roman Missal 126, embolism after the Our Father: expectantes beatam spem et adventum Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi; cf. Titus 2:13), asking "to share in your glory when every tear will be wiped away. On that day we shall see you, our God, as you are. We shall become like you and praise you forever through Christ our Lord" (EP III 116: prayer for the dead). 1404  

Reflecting and meditating 

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1405) There is no surer pledge or dearer sign of this great hope in the new heavens and new earth "in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pet 3:13), than the Eucharist. Every time this mystery is celebrated, "the work of our redemption is carried on" and we "break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ" (LG 3; St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Eph. 20, 2: SCh 10, 76).

(The next question is:  Why did Christ give us the sacrament of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick?)