What Is Host in the Bible?
Object
The thin, round unleavened bread that is consecrated at Mass. Once consecrated, it is the Body of Christ.
It can mean
- What it is made of: wheat flour alone, recently made, and without yeast.
- At Communion: the priest shows it and says: “The Body of Christ.” The one receiving answers: “Amen.”
- In the Douay-Rheims: Christ offered “one sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:12). The word “host” comes from the Latin “hostia,” a victim offered in sacrifice.
Today
When the Host is kept in the tabernacle, people adore it outside of Mass.
Where it appears in the Bible
Luke 22:19; Matthew 26:26; Hebrews 10:12
What the Bible says
Luke 22:19
And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
Matthew 26:26
And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.
Hebrews 10:12
But this man offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth on the right hand of God,
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Catechism 1376 and 1378; GIRM 161 and 320; Dictionary.com, “host”