The Body and Blood of Christ

LIVE THE EUCHARIST

Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Readings for the Body and Blood of Christ

Some years ago, some students were standing at the entrance of their college of theology. A woman, dishevelled and distraught, came running and pleaded with them to save her. She had escaped from a nearby quarry where she was a bonded labourer; she had been beaten and branded. Incredibly, her “master” was a devout Catholic who came for the Eucharist every Sunday; he was esteemed in the church and a noted philanthropist.

During communion one Sunday, a lady was nudged by the lady behind her. She snarled at her, abused her, and then calmly said “Amen” and received communion!

Both incidents, of varying gravity, show a disconnect between our worship and our life. Yet scripture and tradition are clear that worship and life must be related, and the Gospel indicates likewise.

The Last Supper was part of the Passover meal, the most important Jewish celebration. Further, Mark tells us that Jesus took the bread “while they were eating”. In its original form, the Eucharist had a place in people’s celebrations and their ordinary lives. 

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples his body and blood. He gave himself! This was a continuation of what he had done during his public ministry; and a prelude to what he would do at Calvary.

Soon after Jesus gave his disciples the bread and the cup, “they went out to the Mount of Olives” to resolutely complete his mission.

We need to link what happens at the Eucharist with our lives. 

First, the Eucharist must be a part of our celebrations and of our ordinary lives (perhaps, deprivation of the Eucharist during the lockdown has made us aware of its importance in our lives).

Second, we need to live the Eucharist. We need to share ourselves with others. Recall that in John’s Gospel, there is no institution narrative; he describes Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. 

Third, we need derive strength for our life at the Eucharist. We need to bring our lives to the Eucharist, to offer ourselves and our lives, and to take the Eucharist with us into our lives.

How I make the Eucharist and what it signifies a part of my life? How will I give myself to my brothers and sisters? Will I draw strength from the Eucharist to carry out my life’s mission?

May we live what we celebrate!

 

PS! Some ways of living the Eucharist in today’s context: For the good of all, it was necessary that we deprive ourselves of participation in the Eucharist for as long as is necessary. Those who wore masks, practiced physical distancing, exercised other required precautions gave themselves in service for the sake of “the many”. Getting vaccinated is another step toward reverencing the Body of Christ.