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.

HEARTS ON FIRE!

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus are down in the dumps. They return to their original village. The evangelist tells us that they are discussing the events of the last few days: the arrest, crucifixion, death and reports of Jesus risen from the dead. In their depression, they debate and converse with each other. They are unaware of the one who walks beside them. They are so sad they cannot recognize Jesus, the one whom they are referring to in their conversation. Notice the reaction of the disciples when Jesus asks them what they are discussing. They are downcast. Are you the only one who does not know what has been happening? Are you blind? Are you unaware? In fact, Jesus is the only one who knows what is going on. As they talk to Jesus, they repeat the bad and sad news. Actually, they do not realize that it is good news!

Therefore, Jesus takes center stage as He also joins in the discussion, this time speaking of all the Scriptures referring to Him. Luke informs us that their hearts burn within as Jesus gives them the first ever catechism of the Catholic Church. I would love to have been there on the road to Emmaus. Only at the breaking of the bread, the familiar gesture at the Last Supper, do they realize it has been Jesus all along. How slow they have been to realize. Just when they get it, he disappears from their sight.

All of us are on a journey. Not to Emmaus but to the center of our hearts. We hear again Jesus speaking His Word to us. At every Eucharist,Jesus speaks His Word and breaks bread for us in the person of the priest. Jesus reveals His presence to us as He did at Emmaus. Our eyes need to be open to see Him truly in our midst under the guise of bread and His Word. Notice in the story the journey does not end. In fact, the two disciples are very excited to continue their journey — all the way back to Jerusalem. They are no longer sad but bearers of the Good News of God’s Love. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Does you heart burn in love for Jesus?

 

Come, Holy Sprit, enkindle within me the fire of your love in the breaking of the bread and Word in the Eucharist. Amen.

 

St. Winewald, pray for us.