Mark 14:112-16, 22-26
Dear Friends in Christ, Culture wars seldom produce a satisfying result between the two sides. Most often, the conflicting parties follow a path deeply divided by a clear “either/or” option. Truth is seldom the eventual product in this type of conflict. Much more often than not, the neglected “both/and” approach opens the way to truth.
In the Protestant Reformation in the mid fifteen hundreds, the true understanding of the Eucharist was the victim of a partisan-driven search for power and control against the other side. The majority of the Protestants denied the true presence and the priesthood along with other truths about the Eucharist. In response, Catholics put a great emphasis on the true presence and the priesthood.
In the pre-Vatican II liturgy, the emphasis was on the transcendent and the individual. The local church was a very sacred space. This was by reason of the prominence of the true presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. This was marked by the candle next to the tabernacle which took a place of distinction in the center above the altar. Then there was the pronounced sense of silence. The role of the genuflection added to this sense of the sacred. A further point of definition was the exclusivity of the priest highlighting the sacredness of the real presence. The priest alone could touch the sacred host and vessels. Added significance to the true presence was expressed in public processions with the Blessed Sacrament, especially on the feast of Corpus Christi.
All these factors led to strong investment in individual piety. The Mass became a prayer between Jesus in the sacramental presence and the individual. The sense of community and responsibility for the elements of social responsibility and the demands of history got lost I the process.
When Vatican II came along, its first act was to reform the liturgy. A sense of communal worship was the dominating step in transforming Catholic worship in accord with the demands of the Gospel. In this movement to the” both/and” approach, the true presence was balanced by a deeper understanding of the Eucharist as a community celebration and a call to service. Likewise, the document of Vatican II called for balance by speaking of the twofold importance of the Word and Sacrament. We have been asked to see Jesus as the Suffering Servant who gave his life for many. In Mark’s gospel passage today, the reference to the body and blood is the action of Jesus in his self-giving that took place on the Cross. This is an invitation through participation in the Eucharist to serve the needs of our brothers and sisters. The same message is so very clear in John’s passage at the Last Supper that portrays the washing of the feet.
- In the big moment of change proclaimed by Vatican II, there is:
- a balance between individual piety and communal concern and service;
- an invitation to participation through concern for the needs of our brothers and sisters and the demands of history along with a commitment to the true presence and deep personal prayer;
- a call for lay participation rather than clerical dominance;
- a renewal of the importance of the scriptures in the liturgy and the overall life of the Christian community.
Ever since Vatican II we, as a Christian community, we have worked to create a dynamic experience of Jesus through the liturgy. The renewal of the liturgy has been the driving force of our communal transformation. In the active participation in the liturgy, we continually try to make the liturgical prayer the source and summit of our faith. Here we encounter Jesus as the first disciples did. This insight the iconic statement from the Council’s liturgy document lays out the basic elements of this liturgical renewal.
“The celebration of the Eucharist, as an action of Christ and the people of God…is the center of the whole Christian life, for the universal church, the local church and for each and every one of the faithful….the Liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the fount from which all its power flows….All who are made children of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of the church, to take part in the sacrifice and to eat the Lord’s supper.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 1963, #2, 10, 41)
In the Eucharist, true active participation means that we are asking God to make us an instrument of his peace and a contributor to God’s plan for salvation. Through the liturgy, we are becoming the Body of Christ to continue the proclamation of the Good News to all humanity.
In the reception of Communion, we are energized in this call to continue Christ’s work. Jesus comes to us in the most intimate way possible to renew us into his image. This presence is first and foremost about Jesus calling us into a new reality. It is a time to share at the deepest level with One we know loves us. This conversation should be about God’s plan first. Then we can approach our many personal concerns and worries. Love is the dominating dimension of the basic Eucharistic moment of grace and intimacy in the reception of Communion. Jesus is calling us into a new way. There should be less concern about ourselves and more attention given to God’s presence in our brothers and sisters along with the needs of our family, friends, community and the world.
We all would do well to examine ourselves to see how much effort and attention we give to this encounter with the living Christ at the time of communion.
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