Beyond Time, Space, and Eternity

I am particularly struck by the statement that "through the fraction and through Communion, the faithful, though many, receive from the one bread the Lord's Body and from the one chalice the Lord's Blood in the same way that the Apostles received them from the hands of Christ Himself."

This served as sort of confirmation of something that I had come to believe in my personal faith journey.  When I am at Mass, I always try to allow myself to be drawn into a transcendent mystical space that enables me to be spiritually present to the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, as well as the Eternal Passover in Heaven. 

Through the Eucharistic prayers, Jesus is made present to us in a special way through all time, all space, and eternity.  Through the Eucharistic prayers, it is like we are mystically pulled into a spatial anomaly that makes us simultaneously present in the eternal now and all points of salvation history.  We are brought heart to heart with love Himself…at His finest hour of glory.

Through the Eucharistic prayers, we have the privilege of being mystically present to Jesus along with Mary, John, and the angels at both Calvary and marriage banquet in heaven.

This mystical experience took on a new dimension for me on a recent trip to the Holy Lands.  Standing on Mount Zion, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist is an experience that I will never forget.  Praying in the spots where Jesus suffered, died, and resurrected Has brought a new perspective for me as I engage in and more actively participate in the Divine Liturgy.  Participating in a Mass, engaging in the Eucharistic prayers, and receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Blessed Lord on Calvary was the most incredible thing I have ever participated in.

The experience I had on Calvary, is the same experience each of us can have at each and every Mass.  It is true that we "receive from the one bread the Lord's Body and from the one chalice the Lord's Blood in the same way that the Apostles received them from the hands of Christ Himself."  This is the Mass!

Hearts on Fire

I've been reflecting on the question posed in Luke's Gospel, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us."  As such, this question came to mind a number of times as I read the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, especially as it repeatedly stressed the meditative environment that must be fostered during the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word.  

The Liturgy of the Word, complete with reverent reading and chanting, reflective homily, and sacred silence is meant to offer spiritual nourishment, but also increase a spiritual hunger (a burning heart) for communion with our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist.

One of the deacons I have had the honor of serving with often says that the Liturgy should flow.  I believe the intention behind this statement is to always foster an environment that facilitates meditation and fosters a yearning for communion with the Lord, both in the Word and in the Flesh (the Eucharist).

Throughout the history of the Church, the Mass and the Eucharist have been the key to a fervent faith life.  Indeed, getting the most out of Christianity is dependent on our understanding of the Mystery of the Eucharist.  With that understanding comes hearts that burn for communion with Him.

Through the Liturgy of the Word, we have the opportunity to introduce and deepen that Eucharistic understanding.  Through the Liturgy of the Word, we have the opportunity to ignite burning hearts, whet Eucharistic appetites, and foster a deep yearning for true communion with our Blessed Lord.

Let us always approach the Liturgy of the Word with reverent reading and chanting, reflective homilies, and sacred silence that are meant to offer spiritual nourishment, offers a meditate environment that enables to have a true encounter with our Blessed Lord, and prepares us to enter into true communion with Him through the Eucharist.  Lord, set our hearts on fire with hunger for You!

Words Have Power

Recently, I reflected on the section of the Catechism entitled "The Sacrament of the Eucharist".  Paragraph 1381 struck me in a way that I hadn't noticed before:

"That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that 'cannot be apprehended by the senses,' says St. Thomas, 'but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.' For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 ('This is my body which is given for you.'), St. Cyril says: 'Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'"

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.

We cannot apprehend the reality of the Eucharist with our natural senses, yet we dare not doubt that we consume the "true meat" and "true drink" of His Flesh and Blood (John 6:55) since He is the Truth and He cannot lie.

We have seen the power of the words of the Lord repeatedly, starting in the book of Genesis, "Let there be light!" (Genesis 1:3).  God speaks and the laws of physics must obey.  "Let there be light", and there was light.  "Let there be vegetation", and there was vegetation (Genesis 1:11).  "Rise, take up your mat, and walk", and the man became well and walked (John 8:8-9).  The Lord speaks and the laws of physics must obey.

The same holds true during the prayers of consecration during Mass.  Through the celebrant priest, the Lord says, "This IS my Body" (Luke 22:19).  Is the almighty God that is capable to creating light from a command, growing vegetation from a command, and healing a sick man from a command somehow only capable of a symbolic gesture in declaring His presence in the Eucharist?  I think not.  His words have power.  He is the Truth.  It doesn't matter what our natural senses detect.  If Jesus says, "This IS my Body", then we can trust in His power to make His real presence manifest as taught the Catholic Church.

Either Jesus has the power to do what He says, or He doesn't.  It is a matter of faith as to whether or not we receive His words and believe.  Let us pray the Holy Spirit continues to open our eyes of faith to the true and substantial presence of Jesus in the Eucharist so we may fully encounter Him and adore Him more fervently in the Sacraments.