A DECISIVE EXPERIENCE
As is natural, the celebration of the Mass has changed throughout the centuries. According to the epoch, Christians have highlighted some aspects and neglected others. The Mass has served as the setting for celebrating coronations of kings and popes, giving homage to or commemorating the victories of wars. Musicians have converted it into a concert. People have integrated it into their devotions and religious customs…
After 20 centuries it could be necessary to remember some of the essential features of the Lord’s last supper, as it was recorded and lived out by the first generations of Christians.
The background of that meal is a firm conviction: his followers won’t be left orphaned. Jesus’ death will not be able to break their communion with him. No one should feel the emptiness of his absence. His disciples aren’t left alone, at the mercy of the ups and downs of history. At the center of the Christian community that celebrates the Eucharist, Christ is alive and well. Here is the secret of his power.
From him the faith of his followers is nourished. It’s not enough to be present at that supper. The disciples are invited to «eat». In order to nourish our adhesion to Jesus Christ, we need to unite ourselves to listen to his words and introduce them into our heart; we need to come close to share communion with him, identifying ourselves with his way of living. No other experience can offer us a more solid food.
We mustn’t forget that «to share communion» with Jesus is to share communion with someone who has lived and has died, totally «given» to others. That’s what Jesus insists on. His body is a «handed over body» and his blood is «blood shed» for the salvation of all. It’s a contradiction to come close to «share communion» with Jesus and resist concerning ourselves with something that isn’t our own interest.
Nothing is more central and decisive for Jesus’ followers than the celebration of this supper of the Lord. That’s why we need to take care of it so much. Well celebrated, the Eucharist molds us, goes about uniting us to Jesus, nourishes us with his life, familiarizes us with the Gospel, invites us to live in an attitude of fraternal service, and sustains us in the hope of the final encounter with him.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
