Daily Bread

by John Roche sscc

 

"We are redeemed and saved by his body and blood. Hail the sacred host which he gave us as our food."      

Old  Celtic Antiphon

 

 

Christians argue a lot about the Eucharist, What is its meaning? What should we call it? What….?

The Eucharist stands as a focal point of debate and discussion among Christians, each perspective highlighting a different aspect of its significance. Some perceive it as a communal meal, a sacred ritual that binds a community together. Others find it a profound personal prayer, a catalyst for reaching out to others in service. It's also seen as a commemoration of Jesus' redemptive acts, a reminder of his sacrifice. But who holds the correct interpretation?

In truth, each viewpoint represents a genuine aspect of the Eucharist, akin to the faces of a finely cut diamond; each face sparkles in its own unique way. Even within scripture, various dimensions of the Eucharist emerge. For instance, St. John in his Gospel shifts focus from the Last Supper's institution of the Eucharist to the washing of feet. John has Jesus holding up a basin and towel instead of bread and wine. Thus, illustrating the many interpretations of the nature of this sacrament.

The Eucharist defies singular explanation. It is multivalent, that is, carrying different layers of meaning simultaneously. Its essence cannot be distilled into a single interpretation because it encompasses a multitude of truths. 

The wheat and the grapes have to be ground and crushed to produce the Bread and Wine we offer at the Mass. So, in offering these to the Lord, we are asking God to take care of all who have been ground down and crushed. The Eucharist commends them to the redeeming and healing power of God. The Eucharist embraces the transformation of suffering and brokenness, and we are all broken in our own way.  Jesus is the broken healer who heals by his own brokenness. That is why the Lord comes to us as bread that is broken:

Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum. Sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea. 

O Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

In presenting the bread and wine, we offer not just physical sustenance but also the struggles and trials of humanity, beseeching God to redeem and heal those who have been ground down by the burdens of life. The Eucharistic prayers are a special prayer of the faithful. The Eucharist thus becomes a sign of divine sustenance and healing amidst the deserts of our lives. It is akin to the daily "manna" that sustained the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The difference is that the Eucharist feeds us with eternal life.

This sacramental act transcends mere symbolism; it becomes a profound encounter with the divine, where believers find sustenance for their souls and renewal for their spirits. In partaking of the bread and wine, Christians affirm their participation in the body of Christ, recognizing their interconnectedness with one another and with God. But how is it we want to be called to the table of the Lord as sons and daughters and heirs to the kingdom. Yet, we don’t want to be brothers and sisters! What kind of a family is that?

The Lord, through the Holy Spirit, invites and prompts people to come to His Table to feed and heal. We always have to keep in mind that the invitation has a divine origin, and is NOT our initiative! The Lord invites who He will, without consulting us. He shocked the “good Jews” by who he invited to dine with him. We should never be shocked at who the Lord invites, but welcome all as Jesus did; without judgement. The famous historian Christopher Dawson became a Catholic, but his aristocratic mother was horrified –“now my son will worship with the help!!!” She was aware that by becoming Catholic his aristocratic background would no longer set him apart! Indeed, the Eucharist strips us of class etc., and there are no distinctions: neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free…Gal 3:28. Indeed, as Walter Kasper professes, before God all are beggars!

Ultimately, the debates over the Eucharist reflects the richness of Christian theology and spirituality, inviting believers to explore its depths and embrace its diverse dimensions. Whether viewed as a communal meal, a personal prayer, or a symbol of redemption, the Eucharist remains a sacred mystery that continues to nourish and sustain the faithful on their journey through the desert of life.