At the Last Supper, Jesus also made a similar statement as did God in Ex. 12:14 when He said: “Do this in memory of me” (LK.22:19). This command of Our Lord suggests that Christians may forget Jesus Christ. In other words, there would be no need for this loving command, if there was not a fearful possibility that our memories might prove unfaithful, and our remembrance unreliable in the long run. It appears almost impossible that those who have been redeemed by the blood of the dying Lamb should ever forget their Redeemer; that those who have been loved with an everlasting love by the eternal Son of God, should ever forget that Son; but if it is startling to the ear, it is certainly more apparent to the eye to allow us to deny the fact. We forget Him who never forgets us! We forget Him who poured His blood out for our sins! We forget Him who loved us even to death.
The very object which we should make the king of our hearts is the very thing we are most inclined to forget. Where one would think that memory would linger, and unmindfulness would be an unknown intruder, that is the spot which is desecrated by the feet of forgetfulness. In other words, “Do this in memory of me” means that He took a piece of bread and gave it to His disciples to eat, and said, “This is my body. Remember it was broken for you.” He took a cup of wine and gave it to them to drink and said, “Remember that my blood was shed for your sins.” For us Catholics, however, the Eucharist is not merely a remembrance, as though Jesus were a relic of the past that we are urged to bring to present consciousness, but it is also about a presence, real presence, body, blood, soul and divinity. He is truly present in the Eucharist here and now.
This is what the Church means when she speaks of the “Real Presence” of Christ in the Eucharist. This presence of Christ in the Eucharist is called “real”, not to exclude other types of His presence, as if they could not be understood as real (cf. Catechism, no.1374). The risen Christ is present to His Church in many ways, but most, especially through the sacrament of His Body and Blood. Memory and presence, are imperative when we reflect on the Eucharist.
When we therefore, receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, we remember with thanksgiving what Christ has done for us through His death and resurrection, but also we remember with regret that it was our sin that led to Jesus’ death on the cross. We remember with joy that our sins are forgiven, but also we remember with repentant hearts that our lives have not demonstrated Christ living in us. Finally, we remember with anticipation when at last we will gather around the heavenly banquet table. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

• Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.