Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The celebration of the Eucharist is a central practice to our Catholic faith. For me, receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus at communion is the high point of the liturgy. When I receive the bread and wine from the Eucharistic Minister, I make it a point to look them in the eyes when I say “Amen.” I think this is such a grace filled moment. Here are two disciples, sharing Christ with one another. By the giving and receiving of the bread and wine- His Body and Blood-we become united into His Body as one people. When I say “Amen”, I am proclaiming my faith not only in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but to His presence in everyone in the community. The readings today remind us that it is through the Eucharist that we become one body, and we are all called to a deeper faith in the power and presence of Christ.
In the first reading, St. Paul is scolding the Corinthians because of the way that they were celebrating the Lord’s Supper. The people were gathering together, but “each one goes ahead with his own supper, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.” (1 Cor. 11:21) Paul recognizes that the sharing of the Body and Blood of Christ should be something that binds people together, not create factions. Paul reminds the Corinthians that when they are united with Christ, this unites them with others, and therefore there is a commitment to show respect and compassion for the people of the community. He reminds them that they can eat and drink food at their houses, but this celebration in the “Church of God” should be done in a way where all our included and everything is shared. Paul tells them, “when you come together to eat, wait for one another.” (1 Cor. 11: 33) It is with this recognition of community that the Lord’s Supper can truly be shared.
In the gospel reading, the great faith of the centurion is highlighted. Jesus is summoned to heal the servant of the official, but on his way, the centurion sends others to ask for the healing. We hear the familiar phrase which we pronounce at Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. … but say the word and let me servant be healed.” (Luke 7:6-7)Jesus is amazed by the faith of this foreigner, and comments “not even in Israel have I found such faith.” (Luke 7:9) The centurion believed that Jesus had the power and authority to heal with His word and because of his great faith the servant is healed. The centurion becomes a model of not only faith, but humility because he felt unworthy even to be in Jesus’ presence. With his strong faith and surrender to Jesus’ authority, the centurion becomes a role model for not only for the disciples, for us as well.
These readings are reminders to me that when I say “Amen” at communion time, I am professing a faith not only in the presence of Jesus in the bread and wine, but I recognize Him in our parish community, the church at large, and in the world. Although “Amen” is a simple word of affirmation, when I speak it with sincere faith, I am inviting God to come into my life and transform me into His image, so I can bring Jesus to the world. A book that I am reading (Reclaiming the Body) explains that the Eucharist has a fourfold purpose “discern the body, eat the body, become the body, and serve the body.” This call to service comes from our recognition of our connectedness to others experienced in liturgy. As a physician the following quote captures the essence of what the Eucharist teaches me. “Sharing each other’s burdens, washing each other’s feet, binding each other’s wounds is a way of life learned in liturgy, not in medical school.” – Amen… I pray that this may be so.
"Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son which we receive at the Eucharist. May we become His Body here on earth. Empowered by Your Spirit, may our faith grow so we may be able to say “Amen” to your invitation to become one with You. May we always surrender our lives to you in humble service, so we can go forth in our daily lives and bring Your presence to all the world and in all things give you glory. We pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN!"
Marylynn Herchline