Jesus is not an idea, a sentiment, a memory! Jesus is a ‘person,’ always alive and present with us! Love Jesus present in the Eucharist. He is present in a sacrificial way in holy Mass, which renews the sacrifice of the cross. To go to Mass means going to Calvary to meet him, our Redeemer. He comes to us in holy Communion and remains present in the tabernacles of our churches, for he is our friend. — St. Pope John Paul II, Address to the Italian youth, Nov. 8, 1978
In most recent times when sitting before the Blessed Sacrament during Eucharistic Adoration, I have often been led to ponder on one of the most profound moments in my life; when the reality of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist became vividly clear to me. It was the time right before receiving my First Holy Communion, a period when I was still only beginning to grasp my understanding of the Eucharist. The catalyst that sparked this pivotal event was when after Mass one Sunday, my mother, driven by an incredible desire for me to better understand the sacred nature of the Sacrament, approached the priest celebrant. She implored him to walk me through an explanation for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The priest, Father Angelo, who was absolutely delighted to oblige to her request, graciously took my hand and guided me towards the altar. As I stood there, gazing up at the exquisite marble structure, a sense of reverence and anticipation overwhelmed me. In an effort to demystify the profound Mystery of Faith, the priest, with absolute enthusiasm, began to gently teach me the truth, a truth that would forever alter my spiritual journey as a Catholic.
Father’s hands carefully lifted his chalice, and with a thoughtful gesture, he directed my attention to the stones embedded on its side. Each stone, he explained, was from his grandmother’s engagement ring, which now was a special part of this sacred vessel used to hold the Precious Blood of Christ. Even as a six-year-old, I understood the profundity of the moment.
From the altar, the priest kneeled down by my side and directed me towards the Tabernacle. He looked into my eyes and posed to me a question that seemed simple, but was in reality quite deep. “Do you know WHO is in there,” he asked, leading to a brief moment of pondering silence. I gently responded, acknowledging the presence of the hosts inside the Tabernacle. His smile was warm, and he continued to say, “Yes, but WHO is in there?” My gaze remained focused on the golden sanctuary, that I knew must have the answer to this question. After a period of no words being spoken, finally, he pointed emphatically and boldly declared, “JESUS is in there, JESUS is in the Tabernacle.”
The words Father shared with me that day have echoed in my mind and heart even all of these years later, leaving a permanent mark on my understanding of the Eucharist. My experience of the first time understanding the Real Presence, and this special gift given to us by Christ, left me forever transformed. It was a revelation of the profound truth that Christ is truly and really present; Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, as true God and true man, in the Eucharist.
As we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the present, the significance of the Eucharist remains a steadfast anchor in our lives. Despite the hostile culture towards Christians, especially Catholics in our time, we can always hold fast to Christ, Who will give us the strength and courage to endure whatever lies ahead of us. We must always remember that this precious gift should not be taken for granted, and many of us understood this when we were denied access to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during the Coronavirus pandemic. I never thought in my lifetime there would be a Triduum, and Easter without Mass and receiving the Eucharist. I will never forget that dreadful time.
The awareness of how special Christ’s gift is to us adds a poignant layer of meaning to our celebration of this most holy Sacrament. On Christmas Day, as we partake in Holy Communion, let our hearts overflow with abundant gratitude, not just for this precious gift, but because the days of the pandemic are over, and we once again have the freedom to partake in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
In extending many wishes for a joyous and blessed Christmas season, may the radiance of the Christ child shine brightly upon us, not only now, but in the days of the approaching new year. Let His presence resonate in our hearts and always lead us on the journey heavenward until we gather again together as a community of believers to receive the Eucharist.
Photo by Francesco Alberti on Unsplash
