I spent last week on retreat up at the monastery of the Franciscan sisters in Toronto (OH). It's a beautiful, peaceful place and the best part of all of it is their chapel.
On the wall behind their tabernacle is an image of the crucifixion, like in most Catholic churches. Mary is at the foot of the cross and, up above the cross, there is a stained glass image of the hands of God the Father releasing Holy Spirit.
What makes this presentation unique is Jesus. Out of Jesus' side, where he was pierced by the spear, there is a stream. And I'm not talking about a the little bit of blood and water that we usually see, but an actual stream. It flows out from Jesus' side and behind the cross and down towards the tabernacle. The actual image of the stream ends there, but if you can imagine, the stream would flow from under the tabernacle, under the altar, and down the main aisle and out of the chapel.
I think it's a great image of why the Eucharist is so important for us as Catholics.
You may have heard me mention it last weekend, but I'll tell you again just to refresh you memory: every Sunday gospel reading throughout the month of August will be taken from John chapter 6 and that means that we'll be focusing on the Eucharist.
Last week, we heard the story of the feeding of the 5,000 and saw that Jesus did just we know he did at the Last Supper - he took the bread, he gave thanks to the Father, and gave it to his disciples. With that, John hints that we are really hearing about the Eucharist.
Today, the people Jesus had fed come looking for him and he says that they only came because he gave them something to eat. He has something more to give them. If they want to do the will of God, they have to believe in the one He has sent - Jesus himself.
But they want proof. The miracle of the loaves and fish wasn't enough for them. They bring up the bread God gave the Israelites in the desert after they left Egypt. Back then, they complained to Moses that he was leading them to their deaths. So God gave them "bread from heaven," manna, to eat - and he gave it to them every day of their journey until they reached their destination. Jesus' audience is comparing him to Moses, the great prophet of their past and what they seem to be asking Jesus is, "Give us more. Do another miracle."
But the miracle here isn't just food. The miracle is the one God has sent into the world. The miracle of the Eucharist, that we witness at every Mass, is Jesus giving himself to us.
It's one thing to be given food that will fill you for a while. We're happy when we eat a meal. But the food Jesus is offering doesn't just fill us up, it makes us alive.
That image of the stream of blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus and under the tabernacle - where Jesus waits for us - and under the altar - where He is made present and we worship Him in Eucharistic adoration - and out the doors of the church, into the world ... THAT is what Jesus offers us: nothing less than Himself.
When I realized that we'd be hearing from John 6 all month, I worried about what I'd talk about. But, and I hope you all don't get bored with it, the mystery of the Eucharist is something we could think about for a lifetime. The sisters in Toronto spend hours with Jesus in the Eucharist for a reason.
So be patient as we keep looking at this rich sermon on the Eucharist. And at every Mass, let's try to more deeply appreciate and love the gift that Jesus gives to us.
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