Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
As Catholics, the Eucharist at which we celebrate is at the center of our Catholic identity. Th Eucharist is a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice of himself for our sins. For this reason nothing is more important than the Eucharist. That is why the Eucharist also called a sacrifice. If someone told us that when it comes to our faith there is something more important than the Eucharist we would probably think that they have gone nuts. And rightly so. Except that we do have contend with Jesus words in today's gospel, "He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” What shall we do with this statement since it seems to say to say that there is something that is worth more than sacrifices?
Of course, the sacrifice Jesus was referring to was the Old Testament animal sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is unlike any Old Testament sacrifice. Yet, the words of Christ are not without meaning. The practice of the commandments "love God and love your neighbor" is more important than the celebration of the Eucharist because unless our celebration of the Eucharist is an expression of our love for God and unless it leads to greater love of neighbor, then what meaning does the Eucharist have?
When it comes to religion, is not uncommon for people to think of it as 'magic.' Sometimes we expect religion to achieve favors for us either as a reward for doing something for God or because of the rituals we perform. I think what Jesus is saying to us today is that faith, religion and holiness is no magic. Rather, religion is about the practice of our faith in God. And genuine practice of faith leads us both to God and to the neighbor. In other words, if religion is not magic, then it is sheer hard work. Yes, we have to love God with all our hearts but we also have to love one another is a radical way. Not to do so is the miss the point. That is why Jesus says, that obedience to the commandments is worth more that sacrifices.
So here is a question for us: what is at the core of our faith and our religious activities? Hopefully, it is the love of God and the love of neighbor. What about the Eucharist, then? Well, hopefully the Eucharist is an expression of our faith in God and love for our neighbor.
- Fr. Satish Joseph