COME DOWN AND GIVE LIFE TO THE WORLD

 

Before the perpetual adoration chapel became in vogue, there used to be frequent “benedictions” of the Blessed Sacrament in parishes. Two things I love to reminisce about the devotion are: one, the idea that one looks up to the monstrance up on the altar, appropriately decorated, and second, the fragrant smoke of incense wafting up through the dimly lit altar and filling the whole church with its fragrance.

We see less and less of this in our churches these days. But there is no denying the fact that the monstrance and the incense both remind us that the Eucharist, the Real Presence of Christ under the appearance of bread, is both a gift and a mystery. It is a gift come down from above, no less, a gift of God become flesh, become bread, become sign and presence in our midst. It is a gift that lies hidden and revealed at one and the same time. It hides the majesty and utter glory of God, while at the same time, it reveals the unspeakable closeness and intimacy of God who willed to become one like us in Christ His Son, whose body “came down from heaven” and whose same body was “broken and shared” for the life of the world.

We, Catholics, live in a world of signs and symbols that effect and make real what they stand for. We call them “sacraments.” These sacraments are meant to lead us to appropriate fittingly the gift of salvation in Christ. But these sacraments also lead us to appropriate and own the mystery behind that gift — a mystery that still unfolds within our hearing, in our lifetime, here and now. How do we know then if the mystery is becoming part of us? How do we ascertain if we are becoming part of that mystery?

I would like to essay an answer. The mystery becomes real and palpable for us when it leads us to prayer, to a personal relationship that shows us that that gift and mystery we call Eucharist has become portion and reality in our daily lives of prayer. Come down, Lord, and give life to the world!  Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

How well am I becoming part of the mystery of the Eucharist?

 

May I become as life-giving as You are in the Eucharist, Lord.

 

St. John of Avila, pray for us.