In Luke’s Gospel, when Jesus appears to his disciples, they initially are startled and terrified, but Jesus reassures them with his words, “Peace be with you,” and invites them to experience his resurrected body by showing them his hands and feet and asking for something to eat. The disciples shared many meals with Jesus, and by doing so after his Resurrection, Jesus recalls the Last Supper and the significance of the Eucharist. He also reveals to them the significance of what was written about him in the Scriptures.
When we celebrate the Mass, we encounter Jesus through the Word proclaimed and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the Liturgy of the Word, we are invited to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, who calls each of us by name. In the Preparation of the Gifts, we ponder the mingling of the water and wine: why so much wine and just a few drops of water? Can the water be separated from the wine? What does this tell us about Christ’s union with us?
In the Gesture of Epiclesis, the priest asks God the Father to send the Holy Spirit to transform our gifts of bread and wine so that they become the Real Presence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We hear the priest speak the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, “Take and eat, this is my Body; take and drink, this is my Blood.” When we hear these words spoken at Mass, we hear Jesus’ desire to always remain with us, his flock, through the gift of his Body and Blood.
In the Gesture of Offering, the priest lifts up the Risen Christ and offers God the Father this greatest gift, with whom we are united, as the drop of water is united with the wine. We offer praise and glory to God through, with and in Jesus.
We offer the Sign of Peace to those round us, for the Good Shepherd is truly present with us in the Sacrament on the Altar. Is Christ’s peace only for those we see at Mass? How can we share this peace with all people?
In Holy Communion, the priest breaks the One Bread and shares the Eucharist with us. We are united to one another in Jesus, who is “all in all” in the Eucharist.
In the Eucharistic Liturgy, we are called to open our hearts and minds to see the great gift from God to us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and our response in offering Jesus and ourselves united in him, back to God. Such a great gift demands a response from us - we are invited to recognize this truly awesome gift, to receive and enjoy it, and to respond in love and with great joy! We are commissioned and sent, like the disciples, to announce the Good News of Jesus’ forgiveness of sins.
Beginning next weekend, our First Communicants will celebrate their first reception of the Eucharist. We are grateful for their catechists and parents who have accompanied them on this special journey. May they continue to grow in their understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist and in their relationship with Jesus and the Church.