Theme: The Cleansing Power of the Eucharist
Some foreigners in a certain land disobeyed the laws of the
land and were put into prison before they would be executed. They requested to
see the king to plead for amnesty. On hearing their request, the king decided
to visit them in prison. In his simplicity, he wore ordinary clothes but
unfortunately the foreigners could not recognize him because they had not known
him previously. They ignored him when he introduced himself to them as the king
because they expected to see a man in royal outfit. Unfortunately, the king
left them without any favour because they could not value him. He seemed to be
too casual but he preferred simplicity so as to be approachable.
Often times, we experience this kind of situation when we
meet important people, at other times something of value before us because we
are familiar with it or because it in presented in ordinary form. That is why
today, the church wants us to re-evaluate our value for the Holy Eucharist through
this solemnity of the body and blood of Christ. Unlike on Holy Thursday when we
reflect on the Eucharist, priesthood and love, today our attention will be
focused only on the Eucharist precisely on its cleansing power.
The Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ. In the
first reading (Exodus 24: 3 – 8) we see the relevance of blood in a covenant.
Moses used the blood of animals as a sign and seal of the covenant God made
with lsrael. The covenant would be incomplete without the blood of those
animals.
Today, we are living not on the old covenant but on the new
covenant and one of the differences between the old covenant and the new
covenant is the victim of the oblation. In the old covenant animals were the
victims but in the new covenant, Jesus became the victim using his own blood as
the seal of the covenant. Thus, the Eucharist is both a sign and symbol of the
covenant. It liberates us from the law and allows us to live in the grace and
love of God.
However, the relevance of the blood of Jesus Christ in the
new covenant is its cleansing power. It cleanses us from sin. Thus, each time
we encounter the blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we are cleansed of our sins.
Of course the catechism teaches us that the reception of the Holy Eucharist
worthily cleanses us of our sins. The Eucharist is also able to cleanse us of
our fears, troubles, tribulations, worries, sicknesses and problems if we
approach it with reverence. The second reading (Heb 9: 11-15) assures us of
this.
The gospel reading (Mk 14:12-16, 22-26) reminds us of the
institution of the most Holy Eucharist and assures us of its sameness with
Christ who is God. Jesus at his last supper instituted the Holy Eucharist by
changing bread and wine to his body and blood. Through the Eucharist, he
fulfills his promise to be with us until the end of time.
Beloved friends, today the church wants you to go home with
the consciousness of the Holy Eucharist. Do not forget that in it you will find
cleansing for your spiritual and temporal problems. Perhaps you have been
searching for God like those foreigners or waiting to encounter Him, either for
mercy or for a favour. Do you realize that the King of Kings is patiently
waiting for you in the Holy Eucharist? Do not ignore him in the Eucharist now
that you know, else you lose his favour.
You can encounter Him through adoration and reception. Jesus
is waiting for you in the tabernacle and in the exposed monstrance to listen to
you. Why not find him there today? He is also waiting for you in the mass to come
into you. Remember that in Rev. 3:20, he says he is waiting for you at the door
of your heart knocking, if you open your heart, he will come and dine with you.
Why not confess that sin that has locked your heart so that you can receive the
holy communion.
If you think you are over burdened and worried with life,
Jesus invites you to himself today through the Eucharist. When you encounter
him in the Holy Eucharist allow him to transform you. Allow him to change you
so that all who see you will see Christ in you. God loves you.
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