DO NOT TREAT THE HOLY EUCHARIST WITH CARELESSNESS

 Sunday, April 23, 2023

3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER 

First Reading. Acts 2: 14, 22-33
Psalm. 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11 (R. 11a)
Second Reading. 1 Peter 1: 17-21
Gospel. Luke 24: 13-35

TOPIC FOR REFLECTION 

DO YOU RECOGNIZE JESUS IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST? 

Jesus, before He suffered and was put to death, had the last supper with His disciples where He broke the bread as His body, and gave the wine as His blood; hence, it thus marks the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood. Invariably, no Priesthood, no Eucharist, and vice versa. 

So, this theological ritual was never done in the history of humanity, Christ was the only person who had broken the bread as His flesh and given wine as His blood. , Jesus commanded that it should be done in memory of Him till eternity. Hence, the disciples who saw all that happened stored it in their memory, and they kept the commandments in remembrance of Him. 

This was the scenario of the two disciples who recognized Jesus at the breaking of bread. As soon as Jesus broke the bread, their eyes were opened, their memory was refreshed, and it was dawned on them immediately that it was Christ, but before they could say anything further, He disappeared from among them. 

Although, the question may be, why were they not able to recognize Jesus when He joined them on the journey? 

They could not, because Jesus appeared to them in His glorified body. 

So, let us fast forward to Good Friday, Jesus was killed like a lamb without blemish. His body was pierced and blood gushed out of His side as ransomed for our sins. 

In that case, it is no longer news that Jesus died for our sins, and quoting the theme of today's second reading, it says “You were ransomed with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a Lamb without blemish.”

Similarly, the theme of the first reading also stated “It was not possible for Him (Jesus) to be held by death.”

Therefore, to the glory of God, Jesus conquered death for us, and His rising from the grave gave us victory. Hence, we are victorious and we shall remain victorious. 

So, as children of the resurrection, we ought to rejoice with the boldness that Christ has brought victory to us.

This was the boldness Peter and the eleven had that made them preach the Gospel fearlessly to the people of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem how Christ was killed, and rose from the grave. Meanwhile, St. Peter admonished us to put our trust in God who raised Jesus from death, and this will make the death of Jesus not be in vain. 

In conclusion, @ every mass, the bread is broken for us. Do we recognize Jesus at that moment? 

Please, I plead with us not to allow our familiarity with the Holy Eucharist breeds contempt; that is, we should not lose our sense of worship, reverence, and respect, or receive/handle it carelessly with disdain the Holy Eucharist. 

It takes the eyes of faith to believe that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. 

Let me leave you with this rhetorical question, 

1. No one has seen God, yet we pray to the unseen God, and we have a strong faith that He hears us 

2. Then, why not have the same faith in the Holy Eucharist which is physically present with us? 

Peace ✌️ be with you. 

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS. 

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