Today we commemorate the "birth" of the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders. It is a day of thanksgiving. At the Last Supper, mindful of the needs we, the people of God would have throughout our history, Jesus gives to us the perfect gift of remembrance as well as a gift that assures us of all that he had taught during his public ministry. It would also be a testimony to the sacrifice that he would give the world in his suffering and death.
Each day on altars throughout the world, this same Jesus is present for all of us. He is there to remind us that we are a redeemed people. Each time a priest raises the consecrated host before those attending the liturgy of the Eucharist, the priest is presenting to us our Lord and Savior. What a blessing this is for us. And what a source of strength for us: I am with you always! Present to us, reserved for us in the tabernacles of our churches and chapels, Jesus Christ is present to remind us not only of the suffering and death he endured for each of us but of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the bread of heaven, the bread of life.
Let us take the time on this holy day to give thanks to God the Father for the gift of his Son; to give thanks to Jesus Christ, Son of God, for giving each of us himself in a unique manner, the Eucharist.
Recall how many times you have gone into a Catholic church or chapel with this one thought: I can find in this edifice the very real presence of the Son of God. He is there for me.
And today we commemorate the Sacrament of Holy Orders. We give thanks to God for those who have given their lives to the priesthood and the permanent deaconate. We pray for all our priests and deacons who bring to us the Lord Jesus. Likewise, let us not forget the many men and women who serve in our parishes as Eucharistic Ministers, those who assist our priests in bringing the Eucharist to the sick and home bound as well as to us in our daily and Sunday liturgies, assisting the priests.
On this day Jesus became the Father's outreach to everyone who partakes of the Eucharistic meal or the Eucharistic presence. Deo gratias! Thanks be to God.
Reading a reflection this morning by Jay Cormier, this day is also a reminder of the gift of giving oneself to others. This occurs during the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The liturgical action of washing the feet should remind us of what we can do to serve others in need, especially the sick and the homeless and the poor. Perhaps in our times this liturgical action may remind us to lay down our selfishness, our pride and the fear so many have in helping those we do not know or who have diseases block our love for others.
Reading a reflection this morning by Jay Cormier, this day is also a reminder of the gift of giving oneself to others. This occurs during the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The liturgical action of washing the feet should remind us of what we can do to serve others in need, especially the sick and the homeless and the poor. Perhaps in our times this liturgical action may remind us to lay down our selfishness, our pride and the fear so many have in helping those we do not know or who have diseases block our love for others.
