Who among you have watched the opening of the recent Paris Olympics? Last July, the Last Supper was mocked on the international stage at the Opening of the Olympics. Several reactions against this “blasphemous” act were in uproar. Even non-Catholics expressed their dissatisfaction or anger for those who were responsible for the disrespect made against Catholics in their belief about the Eucharist. This just shows that we cannot just be indifferent towards the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian life.
The Eucharist and our Christian Life
The Eucharist is our identity. Our orthodoxy and praxis of the Eucharist are central aspects of our relationship with Christ and His church. May nagbanggit sa akin na halos 1200 na altar servers ang pupunta at makikiisa sa ating misa at prusisyon ngayong gabi. And so, this is a sure and concrete way to increase devotion to the Blessed Eucharist. Nevertheless, each of us can begin his or her own personal Eucharistic revival on the foundation of Eucharistic reverence. Maaring sa ating pagsisimba tuwing linggo, sa malimit na pagtanggap ng banal na komunyon o sa palagiang pagdarasal sa harap ng banal na Sakramento. Only then can we truly deepen, renew and revive our love for the Eucharist.
By the grace of faith, we recognize the truth of the words of Christ and affirms the Dogma of the Real Presence. By faith we see that Jesus Himself speaks truly when He says, “THIS IS MY BODY… THIS IS MY BLOOD.” Siya ang nag-aalay ng sakripisyo sa altar sa pamamagitan ng pari, siya pa ang haing inihahandog para sa atin! He is indeed present in every Eucharistic celebration.
A Word about the Readings and the Eucharist
In the gospel, Jesus asked His disciples in a personal way, “WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? After they informed Him about the opinion of people regarding Him. Peter spoke in behalf of the group and said: “YOU ARE THE CHRIST.” Jesus is also asking you and me: “Who do you say that I am?” Sino ako para sa inyo? Jesus wants to be part of our life. He invites us to be in full communion with Him by receiving His body and blood. In Him and with Him, we have eternal life.
The Eucharist is not just a belief but also a call to action. Faith is ordered to deeds not just in words. Ultimately, it is ordered to love as expressed in our 2nd reading today. The flame of faith grows to express love for God or else it grows cold by our indifference. Our knowledge and action are intimately connected. If we do not actualize belief, our understanding of the Eucharist begins to feel like a meaningless mental proposition. Ang Eukaristiya nawa ay hindi lang manatili sa apat na sulok ng ating mga magagandang simbahan, bagkus, ito nawa ay makita sa ating pamumuhay at pagsunod bilang mga Kristyano.
Thus, the prophets remind us that our worship is acceptable when we care for the poor, work for justice and peace, when we give hope to those in despair and recognize others as our own brothers and sisters. Though we can neither see, touch, nor taste the veiled presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, we know by faith that He made Himself present in a real and not merely symbolic way.
Maari nating makita o iparamdam ang ating pagmamahan at debosyon sa Eukaristiya sa pamamagitan ng napakaraming paraan. For instance, in preparing ourselves to go to Mass, from the time we get dressed up to the time we are about to leave, fasting before communion, making a bow when we cross in front of the Tabernacle, conscious of whom we are receiving at communion and expressing our faith in the real presence of Jesus in the holy bread we are receiving by saying “AMEN.” Ang lahat ng ating pagkilos ay dapat naka-ayon at nakatuon sa napakaimportanteng realidad na ating sinasampalatayanan.
Nang dahil sa kanyang dakilang pag-ibig sa atin, ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na anak sa atin sa Eukaristiya. God descends to meet us in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. If this fact does not move us to reverence … hope … love, we do not understand what the Eucharist is.
Today, my dear brothers and sisters, we celebrate locally in solidarity with the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress in Ecuador. Let this be a Eucharistic Revival, a renewal of our faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Mass, Jesus who waits for us in the Blessed Sacrament— Si Hesus na palaging naghihintay sa atin sa banal na altar at dambana, naghihintay na tayo ay lumapit, makipag-usap, makipag-niig at makipag-talaban sa kanya sa bawat oras ng ating buhay. Simply, the Lord desires to have an encounter with us in the Eucharist.
Together, let us open our eyes and hearts to the reality of Christ’s loving presence in our midst. Let Him take hold of our lives, our present and future. Let our celebration today strengthen the bond of charity that unites us all and makes us brothers and sisters caring for our second home: God’s creation.
Final Words
Finally, in this Eucharistic celebration, let us imitate the words of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus: “Stay with us, Lord.” As Jesus continually gives himself to us in the Eucharist, so we desire all the more to ask him to stay with us. Then, we ask ourselves, “Are not our hearts burning within us as we welcome his Eucharistic presence?”
Let me end with a song about Jesus, the Bread of Life, which we always sing during communion:
Basbasan ang buhay naming handog,
Nawa’y matulad sa pag-aalay Mo
Buhay na laan ng lubos
Sa mundong sa pag-ibig ay kapos.
Ikaw, Hesus, ang Tinapay ng Buhay!