Sunday in our household growing up was always special. It always began with Sunday Mass and usually a nice family breakfast. We might do something fun or just relax the rest in the afternoon, and quite often there would be a large family dinner on Sunday night.
The Thanksgiving meal of our Catholic family occurs every Sunday as well. The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word Eucharistia which literally means “thanksgiving.” Jesus himself instituted this family tradition on the night before he died. When He gathered with the disciples in the Upper Room for the Last Supper, He told them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover meal with you.” He taught them the importance of humble service through the washing of the feet at the same meal. And then he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and through His divine power transformed it into His own body, blood, soul and divinity. He told them, “Whoever eats this bread and drinks this blood will have eternal life.” Then he instructed them to, “Do this in memory of me.” Since that day some 2,000 years ago, the Church has carried out His command.
Jesus is eager to celebrate this Thanksgiving meal with every one of us. Each Sunday, we pray in a lot of good and very helpful ways. But, none equals the prayer that is in the Sunday Mass. It is the one that Jesus implored us to do in his memory. As Saint Paul wrote to the 1st century Christians of Corinth, “For often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the lord until he comes again.”
We live in a time where many people state that they are, “spiritual but not religious,” and that Church is not necessary. If you might feel that way, or you surely know of some who do think in that manner, maybe you could have a conversation. You recognize and believe in God and maybe have a desire to have a relationship with God, believing that God created you, redeemed you from the power of sin, and loves you. Perhaps you have drifted from the practice of the Catholic faith or possibly you have made a conscious choice not to join our Catholic family every Sunday. Everyone who is not with us is missed. Jesus founded the Catholic Church and the Eucharist to gather His chosen ones and to foster communion with Him, and through Him, communion with each other.
Our culture today promotes an unhealthy individualism that has crept into the way that many members of our Catholic family practice their faith. But being a disciple is not a solo life, but it is a lifelong journey meant to be lived with the family of faith. The central focus of the adventure of the Christian life is meant to be the Eucharistic banquet where the One sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary and the Last Supper are made present.
Some people say, “Mass is boring” or “I don’t get anything out of it” or “I pray in my own way.” Jesus desires to have us all together to enjoy the meal – to respond to His conversations with us and know that it is more than just nourishment. We have cleaned God’s house, prepared the meal, and are ready to greet you when you come. Please know that our heavenly host is ready to greet you, feed you, give you peace and feed you for eternity. We are all invited to participate so as to allow the goodness of the graces our Host provides. If the dinner party is boring and people don’t seem to care or be interested or want to be there, what does that say about all of us present?
God Bless,
