Holy Spirit Catholic Church
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Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
June 14, 2009
St. Justin is a remarkable saint. He was born of non-Jewish parents around 100 A.D. in a Samaritan town about 40 miles north of Jerusalem. Jesus may have passed through this very town on his trips to Jerusalem. Since Justin was born around 100 A.D., his grandparents may have been living about the same time Jesus was living.
As a young man, Justin devoted himself to philosophy and the search for truth. One day he came across some Old Testament writings and some New Testament writings. They led to his conversion to Christianity. Justin became a Christian apologist. That is, he became a writer who presented the Christian faith in a way that made sense to non-Christians. Justin explained that just as Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, so the New Testament fulfilled the philosopher’s search for truth.
This brings us to a famous letter that Justin wrote to the Roman emperor. In it, he described how Christians celebrate the Eucharist. It's amazing how closely his description matches what we are doing right now at this Mass.
Justin begins by describing who may share in the Eucharist. He writes: No one may share the Eucharist with us unless he believes what we teach is true, has been washed in the regenerating waters of baptism, and lives according to the principles given us by Christ.
Justin goes on to say: We believe that Jesus Christ our Savior became a man of flesh and blood by the power of God’s word. In a similar way, we believe that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus by the power of his own words contained in the Eucharistic Prayer.
This brings us to Justin's description of how Christians celebrate the Eucharist. He writes: On the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. The recollection of the apostles (Gospels) and writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. After the readings, the one who presides over the assembly instructs and challenges everyone to imitate the beautiful things they have just heard read to them (Homily). Next, we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves...and for all others...(Prayers of the Faithful). When the prayers have ended someone brings bread and a cup of wine mixed with water to the presider (Presentation of the Gifts). The presider takes the gifts and offers praise, glory, and thanks to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...(Eucharistic Prayer). When he has concluded the prayers, the congregation says, "Amen." Then those whom we call deacons give to those present the Eucharistic bread, wine, and water (Communion) and then take them to those who are absent.
St. Justin's description matches beautifully with the way we celebrate the Eucharist nearly 2,000 years later.
Everything is a gift from God. I remind you of that all the time and I believe it with all my mind, heart, and soul. And nothing is a greater gift than the gift of God’s very self to us...in his teachings, in his shepherding, in his sacrifice on Calvary, and his Body and Blood on this altar. And we can never repay God for his generosity, nor did we deserve it in the first place. So we are left with only being able to do one thing...give thanks...be a Eucharistic people with grateful and humble hearts.
We can do that, can't we? It sounds so easy. "God, thank you!" It rolls off the tongue so effortlessly. But when I really think about it, something doesn’t seem to fit for me, and I begin to wonder, "Are saying 'Thanks!' and giving thanks the same thing? Is being grateful more than just saying the words?"
Something tells me that it is. And now it doesn't sound so easy. How does someone truly give thanks to the Lord for all he has done for us, particularly in the gift of himself in this holy Sacrament of Eucharist? What does it mean to celebrate Eucharist in the fullest sense of that word? How do we show God that we are genuinely thankful?
Think for a moment: Someone loans us money during a tough time. Is a 'thank you" enough, or should we do all we can to make sure we use the money responsibly and try to pay it back as soon as possible? Someone gives us a job at his or her place of business. Is "thank you" enough, or should we strive to ensure that we are never anything but the best employee? Someone watches our kids so we can have a date night with our spouse. Is a "thank you" enough, or should we look for opportunities to ease their burden too?
Jesus died so that we might have life. In the Eucharist Jesus gives us his very own Body and Blood. Is a "thank you" enough? A simple "thank you" is not enough, not if it doesn't motivate our hearts to respond to God’s love with love. A truly grateful heart is a responsive heart, a heart of action, a heart of love.
Summer is here and things change in most churches, unfortunately sometimes in negative ways. Attendance drops because CCD has ended and people are traveling on vacation. The offertory collection drops. People arrive late and leave early. Our dress/attire becomes far from "Sunday Best." There is a constant procession going to the bathrooms, even during the Eucharistic Prayer. You know my stance on people sitting as far away from the altar as possible. Is this showing our love in giving thanks?
Every time these and other issues are brought up parishioners react differently. Some say “It’s about time you said something!” and others say "At least we're here!" First, I am truly grateful for all of you being here. But I also must admit it bothers me when parishioners begin a reply concerning God and church with "At least..." It truly causes me to question what kind of job I am doing as your pastor. I hope and pray all of my words and actions show that God deserves our "most," not our "least."
Pope St. Gregory the Great says when we eat ordinary food, it is changed into us; but when we eat the Body and Blood of Christ, we are changed into it. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Let us always give God our most and never our least. Let us pray on this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ that we will not only say “thank you” to God in our words, but will also "give thanks" to God through our actions!