Word to the Wise
Sunday, June 14, 2009 - THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
[Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26]While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.
These familiar words marked a sacred moment in the lives of the disciples who were at table with Jesus at the last supper! These familiar words mark a sacred moment in our own lives when we gather with others to carry out Jesus' command to do this in his memory. The Eucharist is more than the consecrated bread and wine which are, in our faith, the sacred person of Jesus. The Eucharist includes the prayers, scriptures, gestures, preaching, singing and, very importantly, the gathering of the People of God in worship. In short, the Eucharist is more than ritual. It is a familiar thing to celebrate the anniversary of big commitments in our lives such as marriage, ordination or religious profession. These events were acts of self-giving for others. They remind us to continue that act of self-giving, not because it has become routine or habitual, but in an intentional way - as if making the commitment every day. In the Eucharist, Christ gives himself for all of us every day. On this day, I will be present at the celebration of the Eucharist that marks the 50th ordination anniversary of a Dominican friar with whom I will be living in Austin, TX. I bear in m ind the daily commitment in his calling that has endured these many years. In addition to the Body and Blood of Christ that will be present at the celebration, there will be the person of Fr. Ralph Rogawski, O.P.. He, too, will be a reminder of what Christ has done for us. AMEN
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